Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, who is continuing a protest at Colombo’s Viharamahadevi Park demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to either resign or grant a presidential pardon to the imprisoned monk.
Speaking during the ongoing satyagraha despite heavy rain, Kassapa Thera also alleged that two individuals carrying weapons had been sent to the protest site on October 21.
“Yesterday, two armed individuals were sent here. They stood behind us and shouted abuse using obscene language,” the Thera claimed.
He also issued a warning to the government, referring to its political headquarters in Pelawatte.
“We tell the Pelawatte office that if they are trying to create violent confrontations to stop this protest, they will not succeed,” he said.
“The President has only two options: either resign from office or pardon Gnanasara Thera,” Kassapa Thera declared.
“We are sending a red warning signal to the government. In the coming days, we will bring a large gathering of Buddhist monks to Colombo. Before that happens, we urge the government to take a step back and grant Gnanasara Thera an unconditional pardon,” he said.
“If that does not happen, the President will end up losing his presidency,” Kassapa Thera warned.
The protest demanding Gnanasara Thera’s release initially reached the Presidential Secretariat on October 15 following a march from Kandy.
However, after a court order restricted the protesters from remaining near the Presidential Secretariat, the monks relocated to Viharamahadevi Park on October 16.
The protesters have continued their satyagraha, including during heavy rainfall, insisting that they will remain at the location until their demand for Gnanasara Thera’s release is addressed.
Gnanasara Thera is serving a prison sentence following a conviction for contempt of court.
The protesting monks are demanding a presidential pardon for his release. (Newswire)
The post “Resign or pardon Gnanasara Thera” Protesting monks issue ultimatum to President appeared first on Newswire.