Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and six others remanded until November 26

14-Nov-2026

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The Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court has ordered that Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and six others, who had been staging a hunger strike in Anuradhapura, be remanded until November 26.

The order was issued following allegations that the suspects had continued their protest within the Sacred City premises, in violation of earlier court orders.

The Magistrate also directed that all seven suspects undergo psychiatric examinations and medical tests to determine whether they had consumed narcotic substances.

The hunger strike had been launched near the Ruwanwelisaya, opposing the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and demanding, among other things, the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

On 12 November 2026, a group led by Ven. Rajanganaye Saddharathana Thera arrived at the protest site. A confrontation subsequently broke out between the two groups, creating a tense situation.

The police intervened and arrested Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and the others.

Following their production before the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court, the Magistrate ordered that they be remanded and directed that they undergo medical examinations.