A group of protesters, including Buddhist monks, continue to stage a Satyagraha campaign despite a court order directing them to vacate the sacred area surrounding the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

The Satyagraha campaign was launched yesterday (07) at the ‘Dansal’ premises near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura by a group of Buddhist monks, including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and laypeople, in protest against the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.

The group who launched the Satyagraha had attempted to build a temporary structure at the site, leading to a tense situation between the group and the police, yesterday afternoon.  

Following a report submitted to the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court by the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Anuradhapura Police, the court had ordered the protesters to vacate the sacred area surrounding the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

The court order also stated that no damage should be caused to archaeological monuments within the sacred area and directed the protesters to remove the temporary structures erected at the site.

However, the protesting group, including the Buddhist monks, continued to remain at the location and spent the night there.

Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero further stated that the protest would continue until the government withdraws the gazette notification relating to the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.