A tense situation (photos) when attempting to disperse the Satyagraha initiated by Balangoda Kassapa Thero in Anuradhapura.

A sudden unrest erupted today (07) near the historic Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura. This occurred when the police intervened in an attempt by a group, including Buddhist monks, to start a Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) at the alms-hall premises near the great stupa, against the Anuradhapura Sacred City plan.

Balangoda Kassapa Thero, along with other Buddhist monks and a group of people, had joined this Satyagraha. It is reported that a tense situation arose at the location when police officers arrived and took steps to remove the group from the alms-hall premises.

The unrest in the area intensified when a supporter of the Buddhist monks was about to be taken into police custody. A highly tense atmosphere arose when the said supporter was being arrested during the operation to remove the crowd from the location. After police intervention, the crowd was dispersed.