The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court today ordered the release of Venerable Ampitiye Sumanarathna Thero on strict bail conditions. The monk had been remanded in connection with forcibly entering the regional office of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau in Batticaloa and obstructing public officers from carrying out their duties.
According to the court order, he was released on two personal bails of LKR 200,000 each.
The incident traces back to August 31, when Venerable Sumanarathna Thero, accompanied by four other individuals, allegedly entered the bureau's office, threatened the staff, and disrupted their official work. Following the incident, the affected government officials lodged a formal complaint with the Batticaloa Headquarters Police. When the monk arrived at the police station on Monday (07) to record a statement regarding the complaint, officers from the Batticaloa Major Crimes Investigation Division took him into custody and produced him before the court.
During today's hearing, where two other suspects involved in the case were also presented, the Magistrate granted bail to Venerable Sumanarathna Thero while imposing stringent conditions. The Magistrate explicitly ordered that the monk must not enter any government department or office to issue threats, nor should he influence or intimidate any witnesses related to the case. Furthermore, he was directed to extend full cooperation to the police in arresting the remaining suspects who have fled the area.
Warning the monk against non-compliance, the Magistrate stated that breaking any of these conditions would result in the immediate cancellation of his bail, leading to re-remand until the trial concludes. Meanwhile, the court extended the remand custody of the two other suspects presented today until September 18 and ordered all suspects to appear in court on the next hearing date.
