Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thera stated that the satyagraha being held at Viharamahadevi Park for the past 10 days would be temporarily suspended following written assurances from the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters that they would take steps to secure the release of Venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera through discussions with the government.

On October 16, the group initially gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat before proceeding to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, where they held discussions with the Ministry’s Secretary.

However, describing the discussions as unsuccessful, the monks subsequently moved to Viharamahadevi Park and announced that they would continue their protest until their demands were addressed.

The satyagraha was launched as part of the “Nidahase Paada Yathra” (Freedom March), initiated under the leadership of the Maha Sangha to demand the release of the incarcerated Venerable Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera and advocate for the religious rights of Buddhist monks.

The procession reached the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on October 15, after setting off from Kadawatha on the sixth day of the march. Along the way, the participants travelled through Kiribathgoda, Peliyagoda, Maligawatta and Maradana before arriving in Colombo.

The march commenced on October 10 near the statue of Venerable Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera, located within the premises of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.