Police have rejected claims that a man was attacked for supporting a protest march from Kandy to Colombo demanding the release of imprisoned monk Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
In a statement, police said the incident took place on Wednesday in the Weeragula police area and arose from a traffic dispute.
The statement followed a social media video in which Ven. Thiththagalle Anandasiri Thera said a man who had helped the march was assaulted with a helmet. Police said they believe the monk recorded the injured man’s wounds and presented him as a supporter of the march.
According to police, preliminary investigations found the injured man was not linked to the march and was travelling in a lorry for personal reasons. He told police an argument with a motorcyclist during traffic congestion near the Veediyawatta Devalaya escalated into a physical confrontation involving a helmet.
The injured man was admitted to Wathupitiwala Hospital. The motorcyclist was admitted to Gampaha Hospital.
Police accused the monk of spreading false information. They warned that legal action could be considered against people who spread false or unverified claims that could create public unrest. Weeragula Police are expected to report the matter to court, and investigations continue.
