Arrested Anuradhapura protester found to have used cannabis and heroin
A man detained while taking part in the sit-in against the Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan, on a charge of obstructing police duties, has been found to have used both heroin and cannabis. Two civilians were arrested over the confrontation between police and Buddhist monks near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya stupa.
🇱🇰 Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Anuradhapura, North Central Province · Sri Lanka
A man arrested during the sit-in at the sacred city in Anuradhapura has been
found to have used both heroin and cannabis, according to investigations.[1][2]He was arrested on the charge of obstructing police duties while he was with the
monk Balangoda Kassapa Thero at the Ruwanwelisaya temple grounds.[1][3]A man
arrested on charges of obstructing police duties during a protest at the
Anuradhapura Sacred City has been found to have used heroin and cannabis,
according to investigations.[4]
Two civilians were arrested in connection with the confrontation between police
and Buddhist monks near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya stupa.[4][3][2]The two were among
those detained after police tried to remove the monks taking part in a
satyagraha, a non-violent sit-in, against the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City
Development Plan and the civilians supporting them from the site.[4][3]The
situation then escalated into a confrontation between the police and the
protesters.[4][3]
After it was confirmed that the suspect arrested last Saturday had heroin and cannabis in his blood, he was produced before the court and remanded until the 19th of next month.[5]Police investigations were under way to arrest two other people who fled the scene during the heated situation.[5]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Arrested
2
Agency type
Police
Activity
Possession, Use
Setting
Street or public place
Charge
obstructing police duties
Case stage
Under investigation
Region
North Central Province
Date
Publication date
Sources
Jaffnazone.comjaffnazone.comTAஅநுராதபுரம் சத்தியாக்கிரக மோதல்: கைது செய்யப்பட்ட நபரின் மருத்துவ பரிசோதனை வெளியான தகவல்
IBC Tamilibctamil.comTAஅநுராதபுரம் சத்தியாக்கிரகப் போராட்டத்தில் ஒருவர் போதைபொருள் பாவனை உறுதி
The sources do not say when the medical test was carried out; 9 November 2026 is the publication date of the reports and is used as the incident date.
No quantity of cannabis or heroin was reported, and no cannabis was said to have been seized, so no weight figure is recorded.
The arrest is dated only as "recently"; Ada Derana places the confrontation after the satyagraha began on 7 November 2026, but neither account gives the exact day of the arrests.
Neither account names the arrested man, his age or the exact charge he faces beyond obstructing police duties.
It is not reported whether any charge was filed over the drug use or what court or outcome followed.
Both accounts carry the same finding from the investigation, and no police statement or court record was opened; the two outlets' texts are near-identical in substance and cannot be treated as independent confirmation.
The exact site of the arrests is not stated beyond the grounds near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, so the coordinates are of the stupa.
The remand until 19 December 2026 rests on one English outlet repeating police information; no court order or police statement was opened.
Hiru News identifies the arrested man by name and nickname; the identifier is not stored in this report.
Left out arrested, as no supporting quotation was given.
IBC Tamil gives no date for the medical test or the arrests; 9 November 2026 is its publication date, already used as the incident date.
The outlet names the arrested man as Palathura Rangiriyalage Prasad Suchantha Jayasiri, known as "Daham Prasad"; the identifier is not stored, and its naming conflicts with the remand reporting in another outlet.
No cannabis or heroin quantity is stated, so no weight figure can be added.
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