Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and six others who were staging a fast-unto-death protest in the Anuradhapura Sacred City have been remanded until November 26 by the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
The court issued the order over allegations that the suspects had violated previous court orders by continuing their protest at the sacred site.
The Magistrate also directed that all seven suspects undergo psychiatric evaluations and tests to determine whether they had used drugs.
The protest, held near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, was launched against the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and to demand the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero.
Tensions escalated on Thursday (12) when a group led by Rajanganaye Saddharathana Thero arrived at the protest site, triggering a confrontation between the two groups.
Saddharathana Thero sustained head injuries during the clash and was admitted to hospital.
Police subsequently intervened and arrested several individuals, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero.
The suspects were produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court, where the remand order and directions for medical examinations were issued.
