The UNP apologised to the Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) today (November 19) over the clash that took place at Sirikotha last week while the UNP also seek an apology from the BBS for the incident.

The UNP apologized in particular for any harassment that Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thero and the BBS supporters had to endure in the tense situation that arose during the clash.

The BBS is currently engaged in a protest outside the Sirikotha while UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake and Provincial Council member Daya Gamage met with the group and apologised.

The BBS engaged in a protest this morning along with about 200 supporters.

As the first session of the newly formed United Leadership Council commenced on November 14 a group calling themselves the ‘organization for building national unity’ had gathered in front of Sirikotha and engaged in a protest. 

Accusing the opposition party of conspiring to betray the country, they had later proceeded to pelt stones in the direction of the building. 

This had resulted in a clash between the protesters and several individuals who were at the party headquarters at the time.

During the tense situation a group of Buddhist monks from the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization, led by Galagodatthe Gnanasara Thera, had also entered the Sirikotha premises to voice their protest against the human rights summit and photo exhibition.

Bodu Bala Sena says that they protested against an exhibition ‘encouraging extremism in Sri Lanka’ while the UNP denied the accusations.