Update: 'Even if shot and killed, I won't leave' - Kassapa Thero continues to stay, defying the court order

Today, the sacred grounds near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura witnessed a tense situation. A police officer arrived and read out an order from the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court, instructing them to vacate the premises immediately. However, Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero ignored the announcement, looking away, and declared that he was legally entitled to remain there and that even the court should be taught the law.

The origin of this unrest dates back to around 9:00 AM today. A Satyagraha initiated by Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, Uditha Nishantha, and others near the alms-giving (dansal) area on the sacred grounds led to some clashes between the protesters and vendors in the vicinity. The Anuradhapura Police intervened to control the situation, and the police stated that one person was arrested and would be produced before the court today itself.

The police had initially informed the Satyagraha participants in the morning to disperse peacefully. However, the Chief Inspector of Police at Anuradhapura Headquarters reported to the court that they were continuously engaged in the protest, causing severe obstruction to devotees. Accordingly, the Magistrate issued a strict order under Section 106 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979. It was ordered that the temporary shelters erected by the group must be removed, and they must completely vacate the entire sacred area, including the concrete cover, Ruwanweli Seya, and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, by 2:00 PM today, and that no archaeological monument should be damaged. Unless otherwise considered by the court, this order will remain in effect for 14 days starting from today.

The police officer who brought the order explained to the Satyagraha participants that the protesters had intervened in a dispute between two other parties earlier in the morning. He stated that the monks' attempt to rescue two individuals involved in that clash had obstructed their official duties. However, the officer further added that the police did not attempt to forcibly remove the monks, and all video and photographic evidence regarding the behavior of the Venerable monks exists.

Nevertheless, Kassapa Thero, who was engaged in the Satyagraha, vehemently rejected the police's statements, accusing the police of misleading the court and reporting facts unilaterally. They emphasized that they had not obstructed anyone, and that devotees were performing their religious observances as usual and accepting their awareness messages. The monks, in turn, accused the police of creating an unnecessary conflict and inciting individuals to behave riotously.

Furthermore, the monks accused the police of assaulting them and made a serious allegation that a young man who worked in their kitchen was being held in police custody despite bleeding. They declared that their objective was to stop the fragmentation and sale of the sacred land to India and its universalization through construction, in a context where the Constitution's Ninth Article and Supreme Court interpretations mandate the protection and nurturing of the Buddha Sasana.

"Even if court orders are brought, even if we are shot and killed, we will fulfill our responsibility to protect the Buddha Sasana," declared Kassapa Thero, urging the disclosure of the relevant agreements and the complete withdrawal of the gazette without amendments. They stated that the matter would be reported to the court through lawyers in the future and strongly emphasized that this struggle would not end without achieving victory until their demands are met.

Watch the video related to this incident ›