Attempt to arrest ... misfires -- Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in fast opposite Malwatta Vihara this evening

Attempt to arrest ... misfires -- Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera in fast opposite Malwatta Vihara this evening

Two incidents where an arrest of Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera on suspicion for having aided and abetted to make an attack on a Muslim Mosque day-before-yesterday by blocking the road close to Kurunegala for this purpose had misfired and the thera launching a fast in front of Malwatta Vihara is the second incident which is reported.

What was reported initially was the incident of an attempt by a chief police inspector including a team comprising 10 officers to arrest Gnanasara Thera when he was leaving Wellawa,

team comprising 10 officers to arrest Gnanasara Thera when he was leaving Wellawa, Pedduwa Sulugal Vihara premises. As a result of a certain attack on the building where educational teachings of the mosque in Kurunegala were conducted, some damage had taken place. However nobody has still been taken into custody. The police have been made aware that the thera concerned had gone to Kurunegala and incited the public and this action had taken place thereafter, it was reported.

Other theras of Bodhu Bala Sena Organisation led by Gnanasara Thera and a group of its members had been on their way back heading towards Kurunegala when around 11.oo in the night a vehicle was blocked across the road and the police had informed that it was necessary to take Gnanasara Thera into custody. This action of the police was thwarted saying that it was not possible to arrest the group who was travelling with the thera. At this point Gnanasara Thera had proceeded to react aggressively against the police and incriminated them, it was understood. As a large crowd rocked round favouring Gnanasara Thera against the action taken by police, the police had eventually abandoned their attempt.

Subsequently the thera had set off with his supporters, it was learned. Certain media have reported that neither the Minister of Law and Order or the Minister of Justice were not aware about this attempt to take the thera into custody. The thera had visited Malwatta Vihara in Kandy and explained matters after which he had taken steps to launch a fast in front of Malwatta Vihara. The reasons given on that occasion was that he is averse to all unjust actions taken against Buddhists.