Viharamahadevi's group has been granted permission to stay until Monday due to the delay in court signatures.

Although media reports suggested that the court had definitively ordered the removal of the Satyagraha (protest) launched near the Buddha statue in Viharamahadevi Park, the protesters continue to remain at the site, carrying forward their struggle. Lawyer Maithri Gunaratne, representing the Satyagraha group that filed a motion against the court order in this regard, points out that the court has not issued any order to remove the Satyagraha.

However, according to reports now received, it is stated that due to insufficient official time to sign the order issued by the court on Friday, a relief has been granted until Monday (26th). Accordingly, this Satyagraha will have to conclude on Monday, and until then, the police have decided not to intervene.

Following a march that began on the 16th, Buddhist monks initiated this Satyagraha with the aim of protecting the Buddha Sasana (Buddhist dispensation). On Friday, the matter was heard in court, with the Police OIC (Officer in Charge) and the Attorney General also participating. The police had requested the court to remove the Satyagraha, stating that it could damage public and private property and obstruct roads, preventing people from traveling. However, the lawyer informed the court that no violent situation had arisen there.

After the case concluded around 3:00 PM on Friday, the Magistrate took about half an hour to write the order. Mr. Gunaratne states that since government employees leave work around 3:30 PM, it will take until Monday to obtain a written copy of the order. However, he emphasizes that after writing the order, the Magistrate explained its essence to the lawyers. Accordingly, the court has informed that neither the Magistrate nor anyone else has the authority to remove this protest, and if it is conducted peacefully and lawfully without damaging public property, it cannot be obstructed.

The lawyer points out that if such a prohibitory order for removal had truly been issued, the police would have been able to act within an hour and clear the site. He accuses the current police force of acting according to the government's wishes instead of serving the public. He highlights that assembly, protesting, and marching are fundamental rights of citizens, and the ninth article of the constitution also affirms the protection of Buddhism.

He also recalled the court rulings given by Supreme Court Justice Kodagoda, the former Chief Justice, and Justice Janak de Silva, stating that public struggles cannot be removed and that suppressing them could lead to terrorism. The lawyer states that the government is attempting to attack democracy and Buddhism by acting completely contrary to the promises made before coming to power, and that it is prosecuting those who speak against it. Mr. Gunaratne, who states that he has also appeared in cases when other religions faced issues, now urges the public to come forward without hesitation to protect the struggle of the Buddhist monks.

The lawyer states that he clarified these matters at the request of the leading monks, as incorrect legal advice had been reported to the media. He also informed the monks that he had no intention of breaking the law. People from all over the island are currently supporting the Satyagraha by offering alms. He further stated that the innocent Satyagraha of the monks would continue at the same location, facing the government's anti-democratic actions, until the official order is received on Monday.