Trincomalee Buddha statue case, November 2025

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Details

Event: Ten suspects including four monks were arrested after a Buddha statue was placed at the Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee on 16 November 2025, which the Coast Conservation Department says breached coastal conservation law
Status: Suspects remanded from January 2026; the Trincomalee High Court ordered ten released on bail on 11 February 2026. No verdict or later hearing found
Appears on: Politicians and investigators
Last checked: 14 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Connections (4)

Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Remanded and bailed over, January to February 2026 / Trincomalee Buddha statue case, November 2025Allegation
- Remanded until 19 January 2026 by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in a case over alleged Coastal Conservation Act violations and unauthorised construction. The article says he and others launched a protest on 16 November 2025 claiming police were trying to remove a Buddha statue.14 Jan 2026 · News 1st · Balangoda Kassapa Thero Among Nine Remanded
- On 3 February 2026 the Court of Appeal dismissed his petition challenging the continued remand and upheld the legality of the Magistrate’s Court’s remand orders. He was further remanded until 11 February.9 Feb 2026 · Tamil Guardian · Buddhist monks further remanded over Buddha statue in Trincomalee
- On 11 February 2026 the Trincomalee High Court granted bail to him and nine other suspects, including four monks.11 Feb 2026 · Ada Derana · Balangoda Kassapa Thero and others granted bail
Kalyanawansa Tissa Thero / Remanded over, January 2026 / Trincomalee Buddha statue case, November 2025Allegation
- Named among those remanded until 19 January 2026 by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in the case over alleged Coastal Conservation Act violations and unauthorised construction.14 Jan 2026 · News 1st · Balangoda Kassapa Thero Among Nine Remanded
- The Court of Appeal dismissed his petition challenging the continued remand on 3 February 2026.9 Feb 2026 · Tamil Guardian · Buddhist monks further remanded over Buddha statue in Trincomalee
Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management / Lodged the complaint behind / Trincomalee Buddha statue case, November 2025Allegation
- A case was filed on a complaint by the department alleging that an unauthorised structure was erected and a Buddha statue placed within the coastal protection zone in Trincomalee town. The article carries no response from the accused.11 Feb 2026 · Ada Derana · Balangoda Kassapa Thero and others granted bail
- The department told police the construction was unauthorised; officers who tried to remove the statue reportedly faced strong opposition from monks and residents.19 Jan 2026 · Ada Derana · Trinco Buddha Statue Incident: Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and others further remanded
Trincomalee Buddha statue case, November 2025 / Concerns a statue placed at / Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya, TrincomaleeAllegation
- The suspects are accused of placing a Buddha statue at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Vihara on 16 November 2025 in violation of coastal conservation laws.19 Jan 2026 · Ada Derana · Trinco Buddha Statue Incident: Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and others further remanded