The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today rejected a motion filed seeking to withdraw an order issued yesterday prohibiting a group of Buddhist monks from continuing to occupy the vicinity near the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park while engaging in a Satyagraha demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order after considering submissions made through a motion by a group of lawyers, including President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, who appeared on behalf of the monks in question.
Making submissions before the court, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne requested that the existing order prohibiting the monks from gathering near the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park be withdrawn or amended to allow them to remain at the location.
However, the Chief Magistrate refused the request. The Magistrate also rejected a request by the police to issue arrest warrants against several individuals accused of violating the court order.
The Magistrate observed that sufficient facts had not been presented at this stage to justify issuing the warrants. He added that, if necessary, the police could take action in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
