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Event

Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026

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Details

Route

From the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, due to reach Colombo on 15 October 2026

Status

Reached the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on the evening of 15 October 2026, where monks met the Presidential Secretary. On 16 October 2026 police reported obtaining a Fort Magistrate’s Court order prohibiting protests in front of the Presidential Secretariat, citing its high-security zone status, while the monks remained on the road. By 17 October 2026 the monks had moved to Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, where they said they would stay until Gnanasara is released; the satyagraha entered its fifth day on 20 October 2026 and its seventh day on 22 October 2026. On 20 October 2026 the Cabinet Spokesman said the government could not act contrary to the Supreme Court ruling, and Ven. Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayake Thero said the campaign would continue until the issue was resolved. On 25 October 2026 Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero said the satyagraha was temporarily suspended after written assurances from the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters that they would take steps, through discussions with the government, to secure Gnanasara’s release. On 4 November 2026 the Colombo Additional Magistrate ordered police to arrest people allegedly involved in loudspeaker and obstruction violations during the protest, and closed the interim order proceedings after police said the protest had ended

Appears on

Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara

Connections (5)

• Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026 / Calls for the release of / Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
  • A march led by Buddhist monks left the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises in Kandy on 10 October 2026, opposing the removal of his robes in prison and demanding his release.10 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Buddhist monks begin protest march in Kandy demanding Gnanasara Thera’s release
  • On its third day the march was to go from Kegalle towards Warakapola, and was scheduled to reach Colombo on 15 October.12 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Foot march calling for Gnanasara Thero’s release continues for third day
• Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026 / Monks on the march met, on 15 October 2026 at the Presidential Secretariat, / Nandika Sanath Kumanayake
  • The monks asked that a “technical flaw” they said was in the presidential pardon be rectified, and asked how long it would take. The article says the Presidential Secretary told them a definitive answer could not be given at that time; it says he did not at first come forward and the monks sat on the road in protest before the meeting.15 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Presidential Secretary meets Buddhist monks protesting for release of Gnanasara Thero
  • Reports that the Chief of Presidential Staff, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, then spoke with the monks and said the President had been informed of their request and had agreed to let the government proceed under the legal procedures and the Constitution; asked for a timeframe, he said none could be given, and the monks decided to stay. The article also says police obtained a Fort Magistrate’s Court order prohibiting protests in front of the Presidential Secretariat, citing its high-security zone designation, and that the monks were still occupying the road on the morning of 16 October.16 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Court order issued prohibiting protests in front of Presidential Secretariat
  • Reports that the monks, who had gathered in front of the Presidential Secretariat until the evening of 16 October, marched to the Ministry of Buddhasasana and, saying talks with the Ministry Secretary had been unsuccessful, went to Viharamahadevi Park. It says a tense situation arose with police when they tried to erect a hut overnight, and that Venerable Thiththagalle Anandasiri Thero said they would not leave until Gnanasara is released.17 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Monks continue satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park demanding Gnanasara Thero’s release
  • Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, asked at the weekly Cabinet briefing why the government could not grant a presidential pardon, said it could not disregard a Supreme Court decision and that the law must be applied to everyone without exception.20 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Government cannot override Supreme Court ruling on Gnanasara Thero, says Minister
  • Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Chief Prelates had not so far asked the government to release him, and that even if they did the government would act in accordance with the law and had no intention of overriding a judicial decision. He said the Prisons Department’s Standing Orders had been amended after a letter from the four Chief Prelates of the Buddhist chapters and discussions with their representatives.27 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · No request made by Chief Prelates to secure Gnanasara Thero’s release, says Cabinet Spokesman
  • Senior Professor Venerable Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayake Thero said at a media briefing that the march was not meant to topple the government and that the monks had come together to defend the robe and Buddhism. He criticised the way the robe was removed, saying proper procedures should have been followed, and said the campaign would continue until the issue was resolved.20 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Peace march for Gnanasara Thero not aimed at toppling government, says Rahula Thero
  • Reports that the satyagraha was continuing for a fifth day on 20 October 2026 and that the monks have said they will not leave the park until Gnanasara is released.20 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park demanding Gnanasara Thero’s release enters fifth day
  • Reports that the satyagraha was continuing for a seventh day on 22 October 2026 and that the monks have declared they will stay until Gnanasara is released.22 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha demanding release of Gnanasara Thero enters seventh day
  • Reports that the Ministry of Buddhasasana told the Mahanayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha that Gnanasara would not be produced before court on 23 October 2026. Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake said the court had indicated that it was not necessary for him to be produced.22 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Gnanasara Thero will not be produced before court tomorrow – ministry informs
  • Reports, citing an Ada Derana reporter, that police arrived at the satyagraha site saying they had obtained a court order directing the protesters to stop occupying the location, that tension arose, and that the police read out the order and later left.22 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Tense situation at Viharamahadevi Park as police arrive with court order
  • Reports that the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued the order on the facts presented by the Cinnamon Gardens Police OIC. It applies to Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero, Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, other monks, civil society activists and party representatives taking part, and bars them from obstructing the area around the Buddha statue, the park walkways and named surrounding roads, or from staying continuously in front of the Prime Minister’s Office on Flower Road. It was issued under Section 106(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act; the article says a violation is an offence under Section 185 of the Penal Code.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Details of the court order issued over the protest at Viharamahadevi Park
  • Reports that the satyagraha entered its eighth consecutive day on 23 October 2026, that the monks began it on 16 October and have stayed at the site since, and that the court order was issued on 22 October.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha demanding Gnanasara Thero’s release continues for eighth day
  • Reports that the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court rejected a motion to withdraw its order barring the monks from occupying the area near the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park during their satyagraha. The Magistrate also declined the police request for arrest warrants against several people accused of violating the order, saying sufficient facts had not been presented at this stage.23 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Court rejects request to withdraw order restricting monks’ protest at Viharamahadevi Park
  • Asgiriya Chapter Anunayake Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said senior monks had discussed Gnanasara’s situation and sought views on whether the President could grant a pardon. He said that after legal advice he hopes a process will begin that leads to a presidential pardon, and that further legal action was needed because a technical error had returned Gnanasara to prison.20 Oct 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Asgiriya Anunayake hopes for presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera
  • Reports that the satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park was in its ninth day on 24 October 2026, that the monks began it on 16 October and have stayed at the site continuously since.24 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha demanding release of Gnanasara Thero enters ninth day
  • Reports that the satyagraha was in its tenth consecutive day on 25 October 2026 and that the monks say they will not leave until Gnanasara is released. It says they first gathered outside the Presidential Secretariat on 16 October and held talks, which they called unsuccessful, with the Ministry of Buddhasasana secretary.25 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha seeking Gnanasara Thero’s release continues at Viharamahadevi Park
  • Reports a joint statement dated 25 October 2026, signed by the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters, the Amarapura Maha Nikaya and the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, urging the Maha Sangha to safeguard monastic discipline and the dignity of monks amid the protests for a presidential pardon. It says the monks at Viharamahadevi Park then suspended their satyagraha temporarily, after the Prelates told them in writing that steps were being taken to secure Gnanasara’s release through talks with the government.25 Oct 2026 · Newswire · What did the Chief Prelates tell Buddhist monks in their joint letter?
  • Reports that Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero said the satyagraha, held at Viharamahadevi Park for the past 10 days, would be temporarily suspended after written assurances from the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters that they would take steps to secure Gnanasara’s release through discussions with the government. The article does not report a government response.25 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Satyagraha launched demanding release of Gnanasara Thero temporarily suspended
  • Reports that Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva, on two complaints from the Cinnamon Gardens Police, ordered police to arrest those who allegedly used loudspeakers without a permit at the Viharamahadevi Park protest and those accused of obstructing Colombo Municipal Council officials who tried to remove banners and cutouts, and to identify them from CCTV and video recordings. The court also closed proceedings on the interim order police had obtained, after police said the protest had ended. The article carries no response from the protesters.4 Nov 2026 · Newswire · Gnanasara Thera protest: Court orders arrests over alleged violations during Viharamahadevi Park protest
• Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Quoted on 16 and 22 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
  • Officers of the Colombo Crimes Division recorded a statement of about four hours from Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero concerning his allegation that Sri Lanka Police assaulted Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero at Viharamahadevi Park. The article carries no response from police and does not say what the statement contained.19 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · CCD records four-hour statement from Ulapane Sumangala Thero
  • Quotes him at the Viharamahadevi Park satyagraha as saying the President has two options, to resign or to pardon Gnanasara, and that the monks would bring a large gathering of monks to Colombo in the coming days if the government did not grant an unconditional pardon. The article carries no response from the President’s Office.22 Oct 2026 · Newswire · “Resign or pardon Gnanasara Thera” Protesting monks issue ultimatum to President
• Udaya Gammanpila / Filed a Court of Appeal writ petition, reported 19 October 2026, against a protest ban connected to / Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026
  • He asks the Court of Appeal to prevent a Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court order prohibiting protests in the Colombo Fort area from being implemented. The article says the order barred demonstrations against the removal of Gnanasara’s robe, and that protesters had also demanded a pardon for him. It names the Fort Police OIC, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General and the Fort Magistrate as respondents.19 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Gammanpila files writ petition challenging ban on protests in Colombo Fort
• Balangoda Kassapa Thero / Under police investigation, reported 26 October 2026, over statements allegedly made during / Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026Allegation
  • Cinnamon Gardens Police told Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama that the investigation followed a complaint by Jagath Basnayake, an organiser at the National People’s Power headquarters, alleging that he made false statements to the media during the protest capable of inciting and misleading the public. Police said his 22 October statement about two individuals allegedly arriving at the park with knives was false, and cited Section 98 of the Police Ordinance. The magistrate ordered media institutions to give police the unedited footage and directed police to report progress. The article carries no response from him.26 Oct 2026 · News 1st · Police Launch Investigation into Alleged Inciting Remarks by Balangoda Kassapa Thera