The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court has issued an arrest warrant against Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera for failing to appear before court in connection with a case involving the alleged unauthorised installation of a Buddha statue along the Trincomalee coastline.
The warrant was issued by Trincomalee Magistrate M.S.M. Samsudeen when the case was taken up for hearing today (11).
The Magistrate ordered that Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera be arrested and produced before court.
The case relates to alleged unauthorised constructions along the Trincomalee coastline, including the installation of a Buddha statue without the required legal approval.
Police had named 14 individuals as suspects in connection with the incident, with Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera identified as the second suspect.
According to reports, Ven. Kassapa Thera and several other suspects failed to appear before court when the case was called.
Meanwhile, the court ordered nine suspects to report to the Trincomalee Harbour Police Station tomorrow (12) to provide statements.
Further hearings of the case have been postponed until January 6, 2027.