The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs had called for a detailed report on the incident where the Governor of the Eastern Province suspended the ongoing construction and clearing operations at the premises of Boralukanda Rajamaha Viharaya, The Daily Morning learns.
The decision to suspend the work at the controversial heritage site came from recently appointed Governor to the Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman.
When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (13) Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickremanayake said that further action will be taken once he receives the report, and the truth behind this decision and the incident will be unveiled by then.
According to the Eastern Province Governor, the particular decision was taken in order to prevent a potential communal conflict between two communities in the area. The Governor also said the temple’s construction lies within state-owned land nestled within a Tamil village in the Iluppaikulam area. Notably, the population within this area consists of 2,202 Tamil residents spanning across 538 families and two Sinhala families.
The origins of this development trace back to the formation of an archaeological task force during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This initiative arose from the discovery of ruins from Buddhist temples, some believed to be dating back over four centuries. The Archaeology Department earmarked specific locations as archaeological sites of significance.
Governor Thondaman said that the intended temple is proposed to be established not on temple-owned land, but on land owned by the Government and simultaneously, the Tamil community in the area was encouraged to construct their own place of worship.
However, the Secretary to the subject Ministry Somaratna Vidanapathirana told The Daily Morning that he has not been notified about such an incident and no party has lodged a complaint with the Ministry in this regard. He also said he cannot comment on this matter without knowing the exact details of the incident, and that he will request the relevant information from the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs.