Four Buddhist monks, five others remanded over alleged coastal law violation in Trincomalee
COLOMBO – The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (14) ordered that four Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, and five other individuals be remanded until January 19, over the unauthorized placement of a Buddha statue at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Vihara.
The case arises from an incident on November 16, 2025, when a Buddha statue was installed within a designated coastal conservation zone, reportedly without the approval required under the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Act. The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) had earlier lodged a complaint with police, stating that the construction was illegal.
According to police, a tense situation developed when officers, acting on instructions from the CCD, attempted to remove the statue from the temple premises. Authorities said they were met with resistance from several monks and a group of local residents, leading to heightened tensions at the site. Video footage circulating on social media appears to show at least one monk slapping a police officer during the confrontation. Police said no serious injuries were reported.
Trincomalee Harbour Police Officer-in-Charge, Chief Inspector K. D. G. S. K. Samarasinghe, later submitted a B-report to court outlining the events of November 16 and subsequent developments in the investigation. The report stated that police had attempted to record a statement from Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera while he was hospitalized, after obtaining medical clearance to do so. The monk had reportedly admitted himself to hospital after presenting with an injury during the police intervention to halt the installation of the statue.
However, police informed the court that despite medical approval, the monk refused to provide a statement. Officers told the Magistrate that such refusal constitutes an offence under the law, as all citizens are required to cooperate with lawful investigations. Police further argued that failure to assist an inquiry of this nature, particularly one they said had the potential to disturb national harmony, was a matter of serious concern.
Based on submissions made by police, the Magistrate issued a notice ordering Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera to appear before court on or before December 10, directing him to present himself in person. However, on Wednesday, after considering submissions made by the prosecution, the Magistrate ordered that the four monks and the five other suspects be remanded until January 19, pending further investigations
-ENCL
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