Sajith criticises alleged monk assault, demands government action

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has strongly criticised authorities over an alleged assault on Buddhist monks at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo on Saturday evening. The monks were reportedly conducting pirith chanting when the incident occurred, drawing immediate condemnation from the opposition benches.

Premadasa accused the government of deploying force against the religious protesters and obstructing their access to basic sanitation facilities. He further alleged that authorities removed temporary shelters erected by the demonstrators, intensifying pressure on those gathered at the park.

The opposition leader has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene and ensure the safety of the monks involved in the protest. Premadasa's statement underscores growing concerns about the government's approach to managing public demonstrations involving religious groups.

The incident at Viharamahadevi Park marks a significant flashpoint in ongoing tensions between the administration and opposition parties over the treatment of protesters and the protection of religious freedoms in the country.

Photo: Sajith Premadasa speaking at an event, December 2016. Plkljl100 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).