Hikkaduwa church attacks: Monks surrender, granted bail
Tuesday, 28 January 2014 00:20
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Seven Buddhist monks, accused of leading a mob to attack and vandalise two churches in Hikkaduwa, were granted bail by the Galle Magistrate yesterday.
Police had identified 24 suspects, including eight monks, over the attack on the churches recently.
The suspects surrendered to the police today and they were produced before the Galle Magistrate.
The Magistrate granted bail to the monks and fixed 17 March as the next date for the hearing.
The Galle Additional Magistrate today ordered the police to arrest the suspects involved in the Hikkaduwa church attack, Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.
The Magistrate also instructed the police to obtain unedited video footage of the incident from the media to assist the investigations.
The police said that 26 suspects had been identified as being involved in the incident and among them are 10 monks.
The ‘Hela Bodu Pawura’ consisting of a group of Buddhist monks led the protest march against the Calvary Free church and Assembly of God (AOG) Church in Hikkaduwa and the protest eventually turned violent with the mob attacking both churches. The ‘Hela Bodu Pawura’ however claimed that the media had distorted what actually took place during the “peaceful protest” against the worship centre.
The monks had claimed the two worship centres were operating illegally in violation of a police ban and a directive from the Government. (Colombo Gazette)
