A protest demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera continued outside the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Thursday (Oct. 15), after discussions with presidential officials failed to produce an agreement.

Representatives of the protesting Buddhist monks held discussions with the President’s Chief of Staff, who reportedly informed them that the government would require more time to consider their demands.However, the discussions ended without an agreement on a specific time frame for a decision, prompting the protesters to continue their demonstration.Tensions also arose outside the Presidential Secretariat after protesters erected a temporary hut on Galle Road.Police ordered the removal of the structure, following which protesters moved it to the side of the road.The protesting monks have insisted that they will not leave the location until the government makes a positive announcement regarding the release of Gnanasara Thera.

The demonstration remains ongoing outside the Presidential Secretariat.