A group of demonstrators, including Buddhist monks, has defied a court order to leave Anuradhapura’s sacred area and continued a protest there for a third consecutive day on Sunday.
The Satyagraha, held near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, began on the morning of 7 November at the dansal grounds and is led by the Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, with monks and laypersons opposing the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan.
Tensions flared at the site when the protesters tried to put up a temporary hut.
The Anuradhapura Headquarters Police Inspector then submitted a report to the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
The court ordered those taking part in the protest to vacate the sacred area, including the grounds surrounding the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
The monks and other demonstrators have nevertheless stayed at the site.
Officers from the Anuradhapura Division Crimes Investigation Bureau arrived at the location on the night of 8 November to record a statement from the Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero.
