Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero arrested

UPDATE: (4.13pm) - Venerable Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero has been remanded until October 09 by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

Venerable Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero of the Sinhala Ravaya organization has been arrested in connection with threatening Rohingya refugees in Mount Lavinia last week. 

The Buddhist monk was arrested after he arrived at the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) earlier today to give a statement regarding the incident. 

The Police Spokesman’s Office said another suspect, Ravindra Warnajith Perera, 40, was also arrested after he surrendered to the CCD.

They are scheduled to be produced at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court. 

Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathna Thero and Ven. Arambepola Rathnasara Thero were both called to appear at the CCD today in connection with the incident. 

However, according to reports Ven. Rathnasara Thero is yet to appear before the CCD.

Two police officers had to be hospitalised after the attack, in which monks and their supporters threw stones and smashed windows and furniture.

Five men and a woman have already been arrested and a government official said several police officers were also under investigation for failing to prevent the violence.

The refugees had arrived in Sri Lanka five months ago after the navy found them drifting in a boat off the island’s north coast.

Before that, they had been living in India for several years.

The 31 Rohingya refugees, including 16 children and seven women, were evacuated by the police and accommodated at a former detention centre in Mirihana.