Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya has been remanded till February 2 by Minuwangoda Magistrate Kesara Samaradiwakara for allegedly assaulting an indivitual and obstructing police after being drunk.
 
According to the B reports filed at Minuwangoda Magistrate's Court it was reported that the 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 had been found to be drunk and had assaulted an indivitual 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 indivitual. The victim alleged that the Thera had been heavily drunk 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 a 119 complaint, the Chief Incumbent was drunk and had disrupted the officers, reprimanding them in filthy language and 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 by obtaining statements from the victim, the Thera had constantly telephoned the Police Station and had scolded the officers.
 
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 also that the day after the Thero was remanded by the magistrate, Minuwangoda police Officer in Charge who conducted the investigation and arrested the Thero was immediately transferred to Peliyagoda police station.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)