Compiled by TAN SIN CHOW, SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI and R. ARAVINTHAN
THREE Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka have started a hunger strike to protest against a development plan at the Anuradhapura Sacred City, Makkal Osai reported.
Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero, a well-known local activist, and two others began a satyagraha (non-violent resistance) last week, which transformed into a fast-unto-death demonstration.
The event later turned violent when an expelled former monk arrived with at least a dozen people and got into an argument with supporters of the three monks.
The confrontation soon escalated, with the former monk being stripped of his robes and beaten. He sustained a head injury.
Police were called to the scene and arrested everyone involved, including the three monks.
The government-proposed development involves upgrading infrastructure and expanding the protected pilgrimage site, but has drawn opposition from many locals despite reported support from some Buddhist clergy members.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
