31 January 2022 07:43 am Views - 176
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya has been remanded till February 2 by Minuwangoda Magistrate Kesara Samaradiwakara for allegedly assaulting an individual and obstructing the police while under the influence of liquor.
According to the B reports filed at Minuwangoda Magistrate's Court it was reported that Minuwangoda police had received a complaint initially 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 a 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 club and had assaulted the individual. The victim alleged that Thera was highly 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 complaint, the Chief Incumbent who was drunk had berated the officers, verbally abusing them in foul language 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 obtaining statements from the victim, The Thera had constantly telephoned the Police Station and scolded officers in foul language.
Consequently, Minuwangoda Police filed two B reports in court charging the Chief Incumbent Thera for assaulting an individual and obstructing police officers under sections 486, 186, 344, 183, 314,315, 316, 317 of the Penal Code.
Considering the submission made by Police and section 14 (1) (2) (3) of the Bail Act Minuwangoda Magistrate Kesara Samaradiwakara remanded the suspect Thera till February 02, 2022.
It was reported that the day after the Thera was remanded by the magistrate, The Police Officer in Charge of the Minuwangoda Police station who conducted the investigation and arrested the Thera had been immediately transferred to the Peliyagoda police station.