Violent Buddhist monks that attacked Christian religious places simply bailed out by Sri Lankan court

Eighteen persons including five Buddhist monks were produced in court today by police for their involvement in the attack on a Christian religious place. They surrendered to Galle magistrate court as they were wanted for ransacking two prayer centers of the evangelical Christian Assembly of God and Calvary Free Church at Southern Province tourist city Hikkaduwa.

However, the suspects were granted bail by the magistrate. They were released on Rs. 500,000 each personal surety by Galle magistrate Gunendra Kumara Munasinghe.

These suspects are to be framed charges on two counts pertaining to attacking two Christian religious places on January 12. The case was postponed to March 17.

Police identified 24 persons through video coverage of the violent carnage and court today ordered the police to arrest the suspects.


The monk-led mob resisted the police and destroyed the property hurling stones at the two prayer centers. The mob broke doors, windows and burnt religious signs and books.Local media videoed the violence and broadcast in the news on TV channels.


The Buddhist monks that led the protest said that the administrative authorities had ordered the prayer centers withdrawn. However, the pastors in charge of these centers said they were registered duly and the eviction order is illegal.