Satyagraha near Ruwanweliseya: police record statement from Kassapa Thero
Update, November 13: seven reportedly remanded until November 26
Seven people, including Balangoda Kassapa Thero and three other monks, have reportedly been remanded until November 26 following the November 12 unrest near Ruwanwelisaya. The published report attributes the order to the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court. This is a reported remand decision during an investigation, not a conviction.
The report also describes orders for psychiatric assessment and testing for drug use. An order to carry out a test does not establish a diagnosis, intoxication or a positive result. No such result is confirmed here. The original court order and medical records have not been reviewed.
Earlier November 12 police-spokesperson reporting below gave eight people in custody. The later report concerns seven people remanded; the reviewed material does not explain the remaining person's position. No release, charge or medical finding should be inferred to reconcile those totals. Responsibility for the confrontation remains under investigation.
The earlier dated reports, original publication date and existing photograph are retained below. The update separates the new remand account from the earlier custody reports.
The published report
Update, November 12: Police report eight people in custody after clash
Eight people were taken into police custody after unrest at the car park opposite the main entrance to Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura on November 12, Published reporting indicates, citing Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler. The reported total comprises four Buddhist monks, one civilian woman and three civilian men. It is a police account of detention during an ongoing investigation, not a finding that each person committed an offence.
The later 3:19 p.m. published report names Balangoda Kassapa Thero among the four monks in custody. An earlier 1:28 p.m. report had referred to three monks. Those are successive reports with different totals; the later police-spokesperson account gives eight people overall, including four monks. The reports do not establish subsequent charges, bail decisions or a final court outcome.
The published report says the confrontation arose at the site of a fast-unto-death protest after another group arrived. It reports that a participant sustained head injuries and was receiving treatment at Anuradhapura Hospital. The published report also reports a head injury and an alleged assault during the confrontation. Responsibility for the injury remains an allegation under investigation; this update does not identify a convicted attacker or treat a video clip as proof of guilt.
The earlier police-statement article below concerns the same continuing protest and is retained as a dated record. This November 12 update adds the newer clash and custody information without replacing the original publication date, photograph or account of the earlier court order. Anuradhapura Police are reported to be continuing their investigation.
Police have recorded a statement from monks including Palangoda Kassapa Thero, who are staging a satyagraha near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura.
The satyagraha begun by Kassapa Thero and a group of monks continued for a second day yesterday (08). Meanwhile, the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court issued an order directing the group to leave the sacred site.
Police who came to the protest site yesterday informed the group of the court order. Kassapa Thero then explained his position to the police and firmly said they would continue to stay at the same place.
Meanwhile, this afternoon, officers of the Anuradhapura police Criminal Investigation Department recorded a statement from Kassapa Thero. Anuradhapura police are continuing further investigations into the matter.
Tension is reported near the Ruwanweliseya as the satyagraha continues in defiance of the court order.
With the protesters refusing to disperse even after the court order, the question has arisen of what the next step will be; political and social circles are watching the situation closely.
