Sri Lanka, Jan. 22 -- The court registrar received orders to provide complete case records to the defence counsel regarding the legal proceedings against Balangoda Kassapa Thero and nine others. Trincomalee Magistrate M.S.M. Samsudeen issued the directive today following a motion filed by lawyer Aruna Laksiri Unawatuna.

The suspects remain in remand custody for allegedly violating the Coast Conservation Act by constructing an unauthorised structure and placing a Buddha statue within a coastal zone. During the proceedings, the defence attorney noted that the Attorney General previously agreed in the Court of Appeal to withdraw one of the charges against the suspects.

While a state counsel confirmed this agreement during a hearing on Jan...