Trincomalee Beach Buddha Statue Incident: Ven. Kassapa and 9 others remanded

Following legal action related to an incident that arose from a religious construction carried out near a beach in the Trincomalee area on November 16th last year, the Trincomalee Magistrate's Court has ordered the remand of four Buddhist monks, including the Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and five lay individuals until the 19th. Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.S.M.

Samsudeen issued this order after considering the facts when the relevant suspects appeared before the court yesterday.

The incident is based on the attempt to place a Buddha statue by carrying out an unauthorized construction within the Fort Beach Zone in Trincomalee, without proper authorization from the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. Due to this act, which violated the Coast Conservation Act, a highly volatile situation arose at the site on November 16, 2025. The Police Media Spokesperson's Office and the Coast Conservation Department have reported to the court that when officials attempted to remove the unauthorized construction and the Buddha statue at that time, the Maha Sangha and local residents strongly protested, leading to unrest between the police and the gathered crowd.

When the case related to the incident was called before the Trincomalee Magistrate's Court yesterday, the Magistrate extensively examined the facts presented on behalf of both the suspects and the prosecution. It was brought to the court's attention that, according to the charge sheets filed by the Trincomalee Port Police and the Coast Conservation Department, there had been a violation of the provisions of the Coast Conservation Ordinance. The prosecution pointed out that such unauthorized constructions in places of historical and archaeological value could damage those values. A lawyer from the Attorney General's Department represented the Coast Conservation Department, and a police lawyer represented the Police Department, both presenting arguments before the court, where it was legally contended that the Magistrate's Court does not have the authority to grant bail to the suspects under the relevant act.

Among those remanded by court order are four prominent Buddhist monks. These include Vanavasi Balangoda Kassapa Thero, Trincomalee Kalyanavansa Tissa Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Trincomalee Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya, Venerable Sukhithawansa Tissa Thero, the Registrar of the Trincomalee Regional Sasana Rakshaka Bala Mandalaya and Chief Incumbent of Boralukanda Rajamaha Viharaya, and Venerable Nanda Thero of Trincomalee Anandarama Viharaya (Girihadu Seya Branch). In addition, five civilians involved in the incident were also remanded: Viduranga Loku Galappaththi, Secretary of the Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya Dayaka Sabha; M.H. Deepani, a former municipal councilor and United National Party organizer; Liyanage Thilak Perera; M.C. Piyal Hemasiri; and Dulara Gunathilaka.

Although notices were initially issued to 11 suspects to appear in court on December 10th last year in connection with this case, only nine suspects appeared before the court yesterday. Suththippa Liyanage and Sugath Prasanna, who were named as defendants, absconded from court, and the court announced that future action regarding them would be decided on the 19th. Furthermore, the Police Media Spokesperson's Office has confirmed that the court has taken steps to name four more individuals as new suspects in connection with this case.

Meanwhile, the Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and other monks, along with the rest of the individuals remanded by court order, have now been sent to Trincomalee Prison. The Department of Prisons has issued a special statement emphasizing that no special privileges or facilities have been provided within the prison for the remanded monks, and their detention is being carried out under normal procedures. The department further states that all detainees are treated under common facilities according to prison laws and regulations.

This incident was first reported on November 16, 2025, based on a complaint made by officials of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management to the Trincomalee Port Police Station, stating that an unauthorized structure was being built and a Buddha statue was being placed within the coastal conservation zone of Trincomalee city. Following this complaint, the police initiated investigations, and after confirming that the constructions were unauthorized, legal action was taken. The police had to make a great effort to control the chaotic situation that arose at that time, and the current trial is being heard as a result of that chain of events. The case is scheduled to be recalled on the 19th, and the remanded suspects are to be produced before the court again on that day.