Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya has been remanded till February 2 by Magistrate Kesara Samaradiwakara for allegedly assaulting an individual and obstructing the police after being drunk.
According to the two B reports filed at the Minuwangoda Magistrate’s Court it was reported that initially Minuwangoda police had received a complaint over 119 regarding a thief being apprehended at the Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya.
According to the B report, as several police officers entered the Temple, the Chief Incumbent Seelarathana Thera was drunk and had assaulted an individual who was nursing a sick-monk at the temple.
According to the victim’s statement it was said that he had been serving as an aide taking care of the sick monk at the temple. On the day,in question as he could not bear his hunger, he took Rs 1000 from the sick monk’s wallet to get some lunch. As this was informed to the Chief Incumbent Seelarathana Thera by the sick monk, Chief Incumbent Thera had picked up a steel pole and had assaulted the individual. The victim alleged that Thera was drunk and intoxicated when he was getting beaten.
The Police further reported to the Court that, when police officers entered the Temple premises to inquire the matter after receiving 119 complaints, the Chief Incumbent was found to be drunk and had obstructed the officers, reprimanding them in filthy language and degrading the dignity and obstructing the duties of the officers.
It was also said that, as the inquiry was being conducted by the Minuwangoda Police by obtaining statements from the victim, the Thera had constantly telephoned the Police Station and abused officers in bad language.
Consequently, Minuwangoda Police filed two B reports in court charging the Chief Incumbent Thera for assaulting an individual and obstructing the duties of the police officers under sections 486, 186, 344, 183, 314,315, 316, 317 of the Penal Code.
Considering the submission made by the Police and section 14 (1) (2) (3) of the Bail Act Minuwangoda Magistrate Kesara C.A. Samaradiwakara remanded the suspect Thera till February 02, 2022.
It was also reported that the day after the Thero was remanded by the magistrate, Minuwangoda police Officer in Charge who conducted the inquiry and arrested the Thero was immediately transferred to the Peliyagoda police station.
