Police deny assault allegations as Balangoda Kassapa Thero leaves hospital

Sri Lanka Police have denied allegations that officers assaulted Buddhist monks protesting at Colombo’s Viharamahadevi Park, stating that no complaint has been received regarding such an incident.

Police Spokesman said no complaint had been lodged over an alleged assault on monks participating in the ongoing protest and warned that strict legal action would be taken against individuals spreading false information regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, who was taken to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka following allegations that he had been assaulted, has left the hospital, Newsfirst reported.

The monk was transported to the hospital in a Suwa Seriya ambulance on Saturday (October 17) after tensions erupted between police and protesters at Viharamahadevi Park.

Participants in the protest alleged that police officers had assaulted Ven. Kassapa Thero during the confrontation. However, police have rejected the allegations.

The incident occurred during an ongoing satyagraha demanding the release of imprisoned Buddhist monk Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.

The protesters relocated to Viharamahadevi Park on Friday (October 16) after a court order prevented them from remaining near the Presidential Secretariat.

The monks have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are addressed. (Newswire)

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