Sun, May 26, 2013, 10:50 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka police sources say that security has been tightened in Kahawatta area of Ratnapura to avoid chaos when the funeral of the Buddhist monk who committed self-immolation will take place. Funeral arrangements of late Bowatte Indrarathna Thero is yet to be announced.
The monk resided in Kahawatta area and represented the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha for some time before he lost the seat for failing to attend the meetings.
The monk earlier represented the Sinhala Buddhist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) but the party announced several months back that he had been sacked from the party.
Mobs led by Buddhist monks acted violently today before a funeral parlor in Borella demanding the remains for cremation to be done in Colombo.
An organization called Sinhala Ravaya which claims the deceased monk was a member demanded the funeral be organized by them.
The organization then marched towards the President's official residence and five of the monks were allowed to discuss with the secretary of the Ministry of Buddhism.
Chairman of Sinhala Ravaya Akmeemana Dayaratana Thero told media after the discussion that they would fight sacrificing their lives to achieve the aims of the self-immolated monk.