Monks camp at Viharamahadevi Park demanding release of Gnanasara Thera

Buddhist monks and supporters continued a satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, demanding the release from prison of Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera. Several reports described the protest as being in its fourth day; earlier reports from Ada Derana had described it as entering its third day.

The Island reported that the protest took a dramatic turn on Saturday evening, when demonstrators and police confronted one another. Its brief report identified Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera as one of the participants, but the available text does not give further details about the confrontation.

Hiru News reported that Kassapa Thera had been hospitalised and later returned to the satyagraha. Newswire said the monks and supporters remained at the park chanting pirith despite rain. Hiru News also reported that Kotapola Amarakiththi Thera joined the protest.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.