CJ says the monks' protest amounted to contempt of court

Nearly 100 Buddhist monks refused to stand up as three-bench panel arrived for a hearing on arresting a Buddhist monk.

The Chief Justice, Sarath Nanda Silva, said monks’ refusal amounted to contempt of court.

He requested the monks to leave the court premises and enter again as a compromise but none of the Buddhist clergy left the court room.

Bail refused

The unusual protest happened as a bail application for Pannala Prannaloka thero who was remanded for failing to obey a court order preventing the use of loudspeakers was taken for hearing.

As a consequence of the monks’ protest , the Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Prannaloka thero.

	Sri Lanka's Buddhist monks have been active in politics

Accordingly, the thero is to stay in the remand prison until 15 September as per the previous court order.

The CJ also ordered the counsel appearing for the accused monk to inform the court as to who instructed rebel monks to stage a protest in the court.

Rev. Pannala Prannaloka thero of Welikadawatta Vihara is accused of continuing with using loudspeakers despite a court order not to use them from 10pm (SLT) until 06am until further notice.

Although notice was issued for him to appear before the courts on 01 September, the thero did not attend the hearing.

Lodspeakers banned

The Supreme Court banned the use of loudspeakers and amplifiers during nights on 09 November, last year.

The court made the interim order after considering a petition submitted by a group of residents in Weligama against sound pollution.

Those willing to use loudspeakers during this period for religious festivals should submit an application to the nearest magistrates court, the SC ruled.

The order is a measure to safeguard the environment, the CJ said, and ordered the Defence Secretary and the IGP to take stern action against those who violate the court order.