Monks Continue Protest at Viharamahadevi Park
18-Oct-2026.
A group of Buddhist monks, including Balangoda Kassapa Thera, continues to protest at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, demanding the unconditional presidential pardon and release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, who is being held in prison after being found guilty in a contempt-of-court case.
The protest had initially been held in front of the Presidential Secretariat but was dispersed following a court injunction. The monks have not abandoned their demands. They have gathered in front of the main Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park, where they are conducting special religious observances and chanting pirith as they continue their protest.
Members of the public have been donating essential supplies, including food and drinking water, to the monks taking part in the protest. Arrangements are also being made to set up tents to provide them with shelter.
The monks continue their protest by sitting beneath the main Buddha statue in the park, chanting pirith and conducting special worship, while listening to stories and teachings associated with the Buddha.
Meanwhile, another group seeking justice over the death of the elephant Kavantissa received blessings from the monks protesting at Viharamahadevi Park. They also joined the group led by Kassapa Thera in calling for justice.
The monks taking part in the protest said that it could not be assessed by the number of monks present, as others would join in the required numbers when necessary. They said the protest was a collective decision of the Maha Sangha under the leadership of the Mahanayake Theras.
They plan to conduct religious activities and a dana offering next month. They will continue the protest without interruption until Gnanasara Thera is released. They said they would not be intimidated by those acting on orders from Pelawatte.
The monks are also preparing a saffron robe for Gnanasara Thera as part of their demand that the President pardon and release him. They reportedly plan to carry the robe in a procession and hand it over to the President.
