Two monks injured as Police remove Buddha statue at Trincomalee temple

Tensions flared in Sri Lanka’s eastern port city of Trincomalee late on Sunday after police removed a Buddha statue from the premises of a long-established Buddhist temple, prompting protests by monks and local residents.

Police moved the statue from the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya following a complaint from the Coast Conservation Department, which said the construction—linked to plans to restart the temple’s Dhamma School—had been erected without authorisation, officials said.

The temple has been registered since 1951.

Monks and local residents gathered at the site to oppose the removal, leading to a confrontation.

Two monks, including the temple’s Chief Incumbent, Ven. Trincomalee Kalyanawamsathissa Thero, were hospitalised due to injuries sustained during the incident.

Addressing Parliament on Monday (17), Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala defended the operation, saying police intervened to “protect the statue from potential damage.”