Despite a court order directing them to vacate the sacred area encompassing the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a group of demonstrators, including Buddhist monks, continues its Satyagraha for the third consecutive day today (09).
The Satyagraha was launched on the morning of November 07 at the dansal grounds near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura by a group of monks and laypersons led by the Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, in protest against the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.
Tensions arose at the site when the demonstrators attempted to construct a temporary hut.
Following a report submitted to the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court by the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police Inspector, the court issued an order directing the participants in the Satyagraha to vacate the sacred area, including the premises surrounding the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
However, the monks and other demonstrators have remained at the site despite the court order.
Meanwhile, officers from the Anuradhapura Division Crimes Investigation Bureau arrived at the location last night (08) to record a statement from the Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero.
