The Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthy Thero, has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing strong condemnation over the removal of a Buddha statue and the alleged assault on monks at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee.
In his letter, the Chief Prelate notes that the temple has existed since 1951 and is a duly registered institution under the Department of Buddhist Affairs, belonging to the Amarapura Maha Nikaya.
He recalls that the land on which the temple stands was formally granted to it through a deed issued in 2014 by the then President.
Despite the temple’s legal standing and confirmed land ownership, the Prelate states that its monks have continued to face threats and challenges, causing “deep distress” among both the Sangha and the wider Buddhist community.
Referring to the events of 16 November, the Prelate strongly condemns the police action, questioning under whose instructions officers removed the Buddha statue and allegedly assaulted monks—an incident that reportedly resulted in the Chief Incumbent being hospitalized.
He further asserts that the incident amounts to a serious violation of Article 09 of the Constitution, which accords Buddhism the foremost place.
The letter urges the President to initiate an immediate investigation, prevent the demolition of a building said to be marked for removal, and ensure the safety of the temple premises and its resident monks.
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