Courtesy The Daily Mirror

The action of Eastern Province Governor Sendil Thondaman to prevent Chief Incumbent of the Boralukanda Rajamaha Vihara Venerable Ampitiye Sukitha Wansatissa Thera from entering the temple is unjustifiable, Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake told Parliament.

The Government will not accept the decision by the Eastern Province Governor to prevent the Thera from entering the temple,” the Minister said in response to a question raised by Venerable Athureliye Rathana thera in the House.  

The Minister however said he was not in a position to come out with details on the issue as two court cases are pending on the matter. 

I refrain from coming up with details as a responsible Member of Parliament as there are two court cases pending on the issue,” he said.

Also, the Minister said a large number of archaeological sites have been destroyed during recent times. 

Some sites have been destroyed by treasure hunters while others have been destroyed by organized groups,” he said.

The Venerable Thera said a number of issues have arisen over some temples in the North and the East including the Nagachola Reserve where it has been found that an Arama complex had existed and also with regard to Kurudi Vihara. 

No one is against the distribution of land to the Tamils who have been displaced by the war, but it is also important to safeguard the archaeological sites in the North and the East,” he said.

However, the Minister assured that steps will be taken to resolve the issues amicably. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)