Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has asked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene personally in a protest by Buddhist monks outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
In a statement, Premadasa said the monks had marched from Kandy to Colombo. He said he had received reports that police dismantled a temporary shelter built for a Buddha statue the monks had brought, and that several people were arrested. He condemned what he called undemocratic action against the monks.
He called on the President to engage directly with the Maha Sangha, the community of Buddhist monks, and to find a solution while showing due respect for the Buddhist robe. He also urged the Government and police to stop any action that could cause distress to the monks.
The protest is demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. Newswire reported that the monks were continuing their protest on Friday, on the pavement opposite the Presidential Secretariat, for a second day.
