Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and two other monks, who were engaged in a fast-unto-death protest near the historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya, have reportedly been taken into police custody following a clash.

The three monks had launched the hunger strike in connection with their opposition to the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and their demands concerning the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.

The clash reportedly occurred after a group led by Rajangane Saddharathana arrived at the site where the fast was being conducted, triggering a confrontation between the two groups.

The fast, launched by Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and two other monks at the Satyagraha site in Anuradhapura, entered its second day today.

Tensions escalated when Rajangane Saddharathana, who is reported to have been expelled from the Buddhist monastic order, arrived at the protest site with a group of supporters.

During the ensuing confrontation, Rajangane Saddharathana sustained injuries after allegedly being struck on the head with a wooden pole.

Police subsequently arrived at the scene and attempted to dismantle the temporary structure used by the monks conducting the fast, resulting in further tensions.

The situation eventually led to the police taking Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and two others into custody.