Monk remanded after clash over Chief Incumbent post
A Buddhist monk has been hospitalised following an alleged assault during a dispute over the position of Chief Incumbent of the Senasungala Raja Maha Viharaya in Rideemaliyadda.
The suspect monk was arrested by the Mahiyanganaya Police and produced before the Mahiyanganaya Magistrate’s Court, which ordered his remand until Aug. 06.
According to reports, a long-running dispute had existed between 02 monks over the position of Chief Incumbent following the death of the temple’s previous Chief Incumbent.
Several complaints had previously been lodged with the Mahiyanganaya Police, and after the matter was taken before the court, both parties had reportedly been handed suspended prison sentences.
Police said that on July 24, Ven. Aluketiyawe Seelawansa Thera allegedly arrived at the temple with a letter claiming he had been appointed as the new Chief Incumbent and requested the temple keys from Ven. Keselpotha Medhankara Thera, who was