Sri Lanka, Oct. 23 -- The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today rejected a motion filed seeking to withdraw an order issued yesterday prohibiting a group of Buddhist monks from continuing to occupy the vicinity near the Buddha statue at Viharamahadevi Park while engaging in a Satyagraha demanding the release of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order after considering submissions made through a motion by a group of lawyers, including President's Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, who appeared on behalf of the monks in question.

Making submissions before the court, President's Counsel Maithri Gunaratne requested that the existing order prohibiting the monks from gathering near the Bu...