by Dasun Edirisinghe

A tense situation prevailed near the Homagama Magistrate’s Court yesterday over the remanding of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera for contempt of court.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks accompanied by laymen surrounded the court asking for the release of Ven. Gnanasara Thera.

They attempted to storm the court premises only to be prevented by the police. Two monks injured in a confrontation with the police were hospitalised. The STF brought the situation under control.

Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake remanded, until Feb. 09, Ven. Gnanasara Thera for contempt of court, disrupting court proceedings and threatening the wife of Prageeth Ekneligoda.

Ven. Gnanasara Thera was produced before the Homagama Magistrate after he had surrendered to the Homagama Police yesterday morning. Chief incumbent of

Abhayaramaya in Narahenpita Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Chief incumbent of Sri Sambodhi Viharaya, at Gregory’s Road Daranagama Kusaladamma Thera and Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera were also among the prominent Buddhist monks who converged near the court. UPFA Colombo District MP Udaya Gammanpila also visited the scene.

Ven. Kirama Damminda Thera attempted self-immolation over the issue, but he was prevented from setting himself alight.

Four Prison vehicles parked near the court with additional prison officials were prevented from leaving by Buddhist monks lying across the path of the buses.

Police tightened the security by deploying the anti-riot squad as well as the Special Task Force (STF).

Gnanasara Thera himself helped cool tempers by appealing to enraged crowd for calm.

The STF, police and prison officials managed to take away Ven. Gnanasara Thera in a double cab to the Welikada remand prison.

The STF used batons to disperse the monks and laymen.

The Homagama Magistrate on Monday issued an arrest warrant on Gnanasara Thera for disrupting court proceedings.

Courtesy:The Island