Kassapa Thero, 10 others granted bail

The Trincomalee High Court today (11) ordered the release on bail of Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and 10 other suspects who had been remanded in connection with the Trincomalee Buddha statue incident.

The order was issued when the bail applications of the group, including Kassapa Thero, were taken up before the High Court for consideration.

Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and 10 others, including four monks, were arrested on charges of constructing an unauthorised hut and placing a Buddha statue within the Trincomalee city coastal protection zone.

When the suspects were produced before the Trincomalee High Court last Monday, State Counsel appearing for the Attorney General sought two days to file objections to the bail applications.

Allowing the request, the High Court adjourned the hearing until today (11) and directed the State Counsel to submit any preliminary objections to the bail applications.