Today (23) marks the eighth consecutive day of the ongoing satyagraha campaign at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, where a group of Buddhist monks are demanding the release of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.
The monks commenced the satyagraha on October 16 and have remained at the site alongside other participants ever since.
However, a court order was issued yesterday (22), directing the demonstrators to refrain from obstructing public access and movement in the surrounding areas.
The order was issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court after considering facts presented by the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station.
Accordingly, the order applies to Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero, Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, other monks participating in the protest, civil society activists, and representatives of various political parties.
Under the court order, those concerned have been directed not to obstruct the area surrounding the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park, the park’s walkways, or several key roads and junctions, including F. R. Senanayake Mawatha, Lipton Circus, De Soysa Circus, Dharmapala Mawatha, C. W. W. Kannangara Mawatha, Green Path, and Flower Road.
