The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs is set to convene a discussion with the relevant ministries, including the military forces, regarding the controversial Tissa Viharaya in Kankesanthurai (KKS).
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), the Ministry Secretary A.M.P.M.B. Atapattu stated that the ministry is working to clarify certain confusions related to the temple, given its sensitivity to national unity. He explained that while the said temple is currently administered by the Army, the Government however intends to have the temple registered under the Commissioner General (CG) of Buddhist Affairs.
“The temple is administered by the Army, and there is a construction taking place along with a monk present. During a meeting at the Defence Ministry, it was expressed that it cannot continue to be administered by them and should instead be registered under the Buddhist Affairs CG. As I have been informed, a temple is already registered under that name, but there is only land there. Additionally, it has been mentioned that there are two temples operated by the Army and the Navy. This has caused confusion. We need to find a solution to this matter. If the Army cannot maintain it, we should take steps to resolve the issue,” he said.
Consequently, he mentioned that the ministry has proposed a meeting between the relevant ministers and officials to reach a decision regarding the temple.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi, Opposition Parliamentarian S. Sritharan has warned the Government of their intention to forcibly remove the Tissa Viharaya. Addressing the media at the Jaffna Press Club on 9 February, Sritharan stated that the owners of the land occupied by the Tissa Viharaya and others would soon take action against what he referred to as an illegal construction. He also charged that structures built by ordinary people on State land had been forcibly removed, with the Government taking action on the grounds that such constructions were illegal.
Attempts to contact the Deputy Minister for Defence regarding the controversy, failed.