Tension prevailed in Dambulla town today when Buddhist monks and residents staged a protest demanding that the Dambulla Sacred Area Development Project be implemented without further delay.
 

The protestors demanded that unauthorized structures including non-Buddhist places of worship be moved out of the proposed sacred area.

Protestors led by the Ven. Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thera, Ven. Akmeemana Gunaratana Thera, and Pallewela Hemaratana Thera gathered at the Rangiri Dambulu Uyanwatta Rajamaha Vihara Grounds and later marched to the Kandalama Junction.

 

Central Province DIG D.M.M.G.B. Peramune who arrived at the scene informed the protestors that unauthorized structures would be removed before Monday. Dambulla Divisional Secretary Lakshmi Hewapathirana told protestors that several buildings at the site were unauthorized structures. The protestors dispersed following the assurances by the two officials. ( Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa )

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Monks protest in Dambulla