The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered medical examinations to assess the mental health condition of Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thera and three other Buddhist monks, along with three laypersons arrested in connection with a clash at the historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya premises.
The court has also ordered tests to determine whether the suspects had used narcotic substances.
Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne ordered the four monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, and the three laypersons, who were taken into police custody following the incident yesterday to be remanded until November 26.
A tense situation erupted yesterday (12) at the ‘dansal’ premises near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, where Ven. Kassapa Thera and two other monks had been staging a fast-unto-death protest, following the arrival of a group including an individual known as ‘Rajanganaye Saddharathana,’ who is reportedly no longer a member of the Buddhist clergy.
A clash subsequently broke out between the two groups, during which Rajanganaye Saddharathana was allegedly struck on the head with a wooden pole.
He was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for treatment, while Ven. Kassapa Thera, who was taken into police custody, was also admitted to the same hospital.
Following an inspection carried out by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate at the hospital last evening (12), where the suspects were receiving treatment, the court ordered that they be remanded until November 26.
Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate also directed the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to produce Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera before the Trincomalee Magistrate's Court and inform the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court accordingly.
A warrant had reportedly been issued for the arrest of Ven. Kassapa Thera after he failed to appear before the Trincomalee Magistrate's Court in connection with a case taken up on November 11.
Meanwhile, hospital sources stated that Rajanganaye Saddharathana had been discharged from the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital this afternoon after receiving treatment.
Several parties have alleged that he had arrived at the sacred site at the government's behest and deliberately created a disturbance.
