November 18, Colombo (LNW): The Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya, the Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthy Thero, has written to the President expressing grave concern over an incident in Trincomalee, where police officers reportedly removed a Buddha statue from the grounds of a long-established temple.
In his letter, the Chief Prelate emphasises that the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya—founded in 1951—has been formally registered with the Department of Buddhist Affairs and recognised as part of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya. He notes that the land on which the temple stands was officially granted to the institution in 2014, confirming its legal status and long-standing presence in the area.
Despite this, the letter states that the temple’s resident monks have faced continued intimidation and pressure, causing widespread concern among both the Sangha and the broader Buddhist community. The Chief Prelate strongly denounces the events said to have taken place on Sunday (16), describing them as entirely unacceptable.
He further questions the authority under which the police acted, particularly regarding the removal of the statue and the alleged assault on monks—an altercation which left the Chief Incumbent injured and requiring hospital treatment. Such conduct, he argues, constitutes a clear breach of Article 09 of the Constitution.
The letter urges the President to intervene without delay, calling for an immediate halt to any plans to demolish structures within the temple grounds. It also requests that all relevant agencies be instructed to ensure the protection of the temple, its property, and the monks residing there, amid rising unease among the faithful.