Update: Saying they cannot wait a month for a solution, the Sangha commence a Satyagraha near the Presidential Secretariat.

Amidst torrential rain, the Maha Sangha (Buddhist clergy), who arrived in Colombo under the name "Freedom Foot March," are continuing their Satyagraha protest, which they started by sitting on the road near the Presidential Secretariat, without ending it. The Venerable monks strongly emphasize that they will not abandon their protest until the government makes an official statement releasing the imprisoned Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero.

The main demand of this march, which reached the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat yesterday evening under the leadership of the Maha Sangha, was the release of the imprisoned Gnanasara Thero.

As the Presidential Secretary initially did not come forward to hold discussions with the protesting monks, they took steps to protest by sitting on the road near the Presidential Secretariat. Later, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumaranayake met with the protesting monks and engaged in discussions. There, the Maha Sangha requested that the alleged technical error in the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thero by former President Maithripala Sirisena be corrected. 

The monks, pointing out that they were aware the Presidential Secretary had already discussed the issue with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also requested a clear timeline for resolving this problem. When informed that the timeline would be about a month, the monks began to shout, 'We cannot wait a month.'

However, no positive response was received to this request after the discussion, and Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumaranayake stated that he could not provide a firm or definite answer on the matter at this moment. According to the protesting party, officials from the Presidential Secretariat have informed them that at least one month is required to make a decision regarding this issue.

Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the response received, the Maha Sangha refused to leave the Presidential Secretariat, stating that they would not abandon their protest until a favorable announcement regarding the release of the imprisoned Gnanasara Thero is received from the government. Meanwhile, with the Presidential Secretariat yet to issue any official statement regarding the outcome of these discussions, the Satyagraha protest continues on the road.