Protest obstructing Mahiyanganaya – Kandy road against assaulting a thero

Colombo (News 1st): A group of area residents staged a protest obstructing the Mahiyangana-Kandy main road at the Palama junction. The protest was staged against an incident where a group including a Ven. Thero who participated in a demonstration against a stone quarry were assaulted. The protest march began opposite the Dehigolla Purwarama Viharaya in Mahiyangana and marched 5km towards the Mahiyangana town. The group then protested obstructing the Mahiyangana-Kandy road for about 3 hours. The villagers in the area staged a protest with Venerable Ambaale Rathana Thero against a large scale stone quarry that is being operated close to the ancient Sorobora Wewa. Area residents pointed out that the Sorobora Wewa and the roads in the area are being destroyed due to the stone quarry. The protest was called off after the divisional secretary had intervened and inspected the area and later ordered action to be taken against it. The protesters allege that a group including the owner of the stone quarry Kamal Widanagamage had attacked Venerable Ambaale Rathana Thero who led the protests against the stone quarry. The group dispersed after the police confirmed that the person named Kamal Widanagamage who owns the stone quarry had been arrested. The Thero and another person who was injured in the attack have been hospitalized. Area residents had protested against this stone quarry operated in close proximity to the Sorobora Wewa on a number of previous occasions. News 1st contacted the alleged owner of the stone quarry Kamal Widanagamage, however, he refused to comment on the incident. News1st revealed that the stone quarry in question could have been a possible cause of the landslide that claimed 4 lives in Malapatta, Walapane on December 1st. It was alleged that permission to operate the stone quarry was given due to political influence and bribes. However, following the revelation made by News1st steps were taken to close down the stone quarry.