'Anura, if you are that stubborn, we will elect another president' - Returned Venerable Kassapa

Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, who was hospitalized on Saturday the 17th, returned to the protest site at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo on Sunday (18). There, issuing a strong warning to the current President, he stated that if the President refuses to grant a presidential pardon to Venerable Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero, the protestors would work towards appointing a new president.

Addressing the crowd gathered at the protest site, Kassapa Thero emphasized that their primary objective is the unconditional release of Gnanasara Thero, who is currently serving a prison sentence. However, he also pointed out that the government has a misconception that the monks are trying to overthrow the government.

"The government thinks we came to overthrow them. But the responsibility for releasing Gnanasara Thero lies with the President," he said.

Reminding the President of his constitutional powers, Kassapa Thero further stated that if the President continues to reject their request, the protestors would have to consider other alternatives.

"If the President continues to act stubbornly and there is no other legal way to secure his release, what else can we do? If we need to get this done, we will have to appoint another president," he warned.

Kassapa Thero also explained why he decided to rejoin the protest even after being hospitalized the previous day. He stated that he refused even the extra facilities offered to him by other monks, emphasizing that he could not enjoy such privileges while Gnanasara Thero suffered in a prison cell. He said that despite his physical pain, he returned with the aim of further strengthening this ongoing protest.

"We didn't come here to enjoy comforts. How can we live comfortably while Gnanasara Thero is suffering?" questioned Kassapa Thero.

Monks had previously protested near the Presidential Secretariat demanding the release of Gnanasara Thero, and currently, those protestors are continuing their demonstrations at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo.