PersonOn bail
Balangoda Kassapa Thero
Listed from published reports. Appearing here is not a finding of wrongdoing. The custody or bail mark follows the dated status line below and may be out of date.
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Details
- Also known as
- Balangoda Kashyapa Thero
- Role
- Buddhist monk
- Status
- Remanded from January 2026 over the Trincomalee Buddha statue; the Trincomalee High Court ordered him and nine other suspects released on bail on 11 February 2026, and no later report of that case was found. An application for contempt proceedings against him over his statements on the Navatkuli case was dismissed by the Chavakachcheri Magistrate’s Court, as reported 5 June 2026
Connections (5)
- Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Quoted on 16 October 2026 about, and taken to hospital on 17 October 2026 during, the protest on / Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026
- After a Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court order prohibited protests near the Presidential Secretariat, he said the monks had approached the court but had not received the legal permission or relief they sought, and that matters relating to the offering of robes were the responsibility of the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs. He said the monks intended to remain near the Ministry of Buddhasasana that night.16 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gnanasara Thera protest: Monks move to Buddhasasana Ministry for talks
- Reports that on the night of 17 October he was taken to the Colombo National Hospital in a Suwa Seriya ambulance after a sudden health condition during a tense situation between police and the monks, and that some monks and protesters alleged police assaulted him. Police Media Spokesperson ASP Fredrick Wootler rejected the claim, saying the monk slipped and fell. It says he left the hospital about an hour after admission, and the hospital director said he left after stating he no longer needed treatment.18 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park demanding Gnanasara Thero’s release enters third day
- Police said a social media video alleging officers assaulted the monk was false and that he slipped from a concrete step after officers told the group that using a loudspeaker and erecting a shelter were unlawful. It adds that Cinnamon Gardens Police are conducting further investigations and that police warned of action against those spreading false information.18 Oct 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Police say Balangoda Kassapa Thera injured in accidental fall
- 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
- Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Arrested and bailed, August 2022, in / Forcible entry to Temple Trees case, 2022Allegation
- The CID arrested him on 24 August 2022 when he arrived at its premises to give a statement about his alleged forcible entry to Temple Trees.24 Aug 2022 · Ada Derana · Ven. Balangoda Kashyapa Thero under arrest
- On 26 August 2022 Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered him and Piyath Nikeshala, described as Aragalaya activists, released on surety bail of Rs. 500,000 each. The article says the two had been remanded on charges of forcible entry to the Prime Minister’s office and damaging its property. The case was fixed for 12 October 2022. The article carries no response from him.26 Aug 2022 · Ada Derana · More activists arrested over forcible entry to state buildings granted bail
- Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Arrested at protests near, February 2023 and June 2024, / Parliament of Sri LankaAllegation
- Arrested on 8 February 2023, with Kamantha Thushara, during a satyagraha blocking the road MPs used to reach Parliament for the opening of its fourth session. Earlier that morning police had tried to disperse a protest by monks against the government’s plans to fully implement the 13th Amendment.8 Feb 2023 · Ada Derana · Balangoda Kassapa Thero arrested during Satyagraha
- Arrested by police on 6 June 2024 while protesting near the Parliament complex against the proposed Sri Lanka Electricity Bill, during its second reading debate. The article does not report any charge.6 Jun 2024 · Ada Derana · Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero arrested during protest
- Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Subject of, dismissed in 2026, / Contempt application against Balangoda Kassapa Thero, Chavakachcheri, 2026
- It was alleged that he held a media briefing in Colombo and made public comments about the Navatkuli case that amounted to contempt of court. The Chavakachcheri Magistrate’s Court held that the threshold for contempt proceedings had not been met, describing him as a third party to the case, and dismissed the application. The article says the ruling was delivered the week before 5 June 2026.5 Jun 2026 · Tamil Guardian · Court throws out contempt case linked to Navatkuli abuse proceedings