November 17, Colombo (LNW): Trincomalee witnessed a tense episode yesterday following the placement of a Buddha statue at a Dhamma School within a local Buddhist temple.
Speaking in Parliament today (17), Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that the statue was temporarily removed by the police after concerns over potential unrest.
Minister Wijepala assured lawmakers that plans are in motion to reinstall the statue at the Dhamma School today, under heightened police protection to ensure its safety. “The statue was taken into police custody after we received intelligence suggesting a risk of damage. A clear directive has been issued for it to be returned today with special security measures in place,” he explained.
The minister also addressed a separate matter, noting that the Department of Coast Conservation had lodged a complaint concerning an allegedly unauthorised restaurant in the area. He said law enforcement is preparing to take action, but emphasised that any proceedings must follow the court’s guidance.
Meanwhile, Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam criticised the minister for reversing his earlier stance. Posting on social media, he described the move as “a significant climbdown,” arguing that claims of potential vandalism were unconvincing and an affront to the Tamil community, which has a long history of respecting religious sites.
A video shared online shows a Buddhist monk asserting that the site is of religious heritage significance. However, the land is reportedly under the Coastal Conservation Department’s jurisdiction, with existing court orders restricting development. Police confirmed that the statue had been temporarily taken to a station after tensions escalated at the site.
