October 22, Colombo (LNW): A group of Buddhist monks staging a Satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo is continuing its protest for the seventh consecutive day today (22), pressing for the release of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.
The demonstration, which commenced on October 16, has continued despite an initial confrontation with police over the installation of a temporary structure at the protest site.
The monks have vowed to remain at the park until their demand for Gnanasara Thero’s release is met, signalling their intention to sustain the campaign until they receive a satisfactory response from the relevant authorities.
The protest began with the group assembling outside the Presidential Secretariat on October 16. The monks subsequently proceeded to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, where they held discussions with the Ministry’s Secretary in an attempt to secure a response to their demand.
However, the discussions failed to produce the outcome sought by the protesters. The monks then relocated to Viharamahadevi Park, where they launched their continuing Satyagraha and declared that they would not abandon the demonstration until their demand was addressed.
Tensions emerged later that day when police and the protesting monks clashed over an attempt to erect a temporary structure at the location. The incident marked an early point of friction in the demonstration, which has since continued at the park.
