Court bans protests outside Presidential Secretariat as monks continue demonstration

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has issued an order banning protests in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, where Buddhist monks and other demonstrators have gathered to demand the release of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

The order was issued following a request by the Police, who informed the court that the Presidential Secretariat is located within a high-security zone and sought to prevent demonstrations in front of the premises.

Meanwhile, Buddhist monks and other protesters who joined the “Justice for the Robe – National Pledge Offering and Freedom March,” organized under the leadership of the Maha Sangha, continue to remain on the road outside the Presidential Secretariat.

The group arrived at the location yesterday afternoon (October 15, 2026) and demanded a clear response from the government regarding the release of Gnanasara Thera.

The protesters spent the night at the location, with members of the Maha Sangha continuing their demonstration today (October 16), despite the court order.