Remanded monk declines lunch in custody
Posted on January 15th, 2026
Courtesy Hiru News
Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thera, currently in remand for placing a Buddha statue within an unauthorised construction at the Trincomalee Fort beach area without a valid permit, refused his lunch today (15).
Prisons Commissioner Operations and Media Spokesperson Chammika Gajanayake confirmed this development, noting that while the Thera accepted visitors and items brought for him earlier this morning, he declined the midday meal.
Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M.S.M. Samsudeen ordered nine individuals, including four monks, to remain in custody until the 19th of this month.
The group includes several high-ranking local clergy and lay supporters, such as the Secretary of the Sambuddha Jayanthi Vihara Dayaka Sabha and a former Urban Councilor.
Police filed charges under the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Act for trespassing and illegal construction within a protected coastal zone.
The dispute originated around November 17, 2025, during an attempt to reconstruct a Dhamma school building belonging to the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya that was destroyed before the Tsunami.
A conflict arose when the Port Police attempted to halt the work following a complaint from the Coast Conservation Department.
Although a petition was filed in the Court of Appeal to stay an order to demolish part of the temple, the court previously advised both parties to reach a peaceful resolution.