Tense situation in Dambulla

20 April 2012 12:04 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 19 Bookmark

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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 )

Related Photos

Monks protest in Dambulla

Comments - 19

Ifthikar Saturday, 21 April 2012 09:32 AM

Muslims live peacefully with the sinhalese community.We never asked seperate homeland. We have been given full religious freedom. The majoririty community endorsed and supported throuhout. we can solve this problem with our sinhala brothers and not exagarate this internationally.

8 30

Nodrog Sunday, 22 April 2012 06:09 AM

Ifthikar, what is happening is not endorsed nor the opinion of all Sinhalese only a handful of ignorant and narrow minded individuals.

1 7

Hamdan Sunday, 22 April 2012 04:24 AM

This country is going to be automatically in the hands of western countries control with the support of so called Gota, Mara, Bassal, and the clowns in Parliament. For the Politicians to exist, they need problem in country and not Peace. If the people understand this now its better, otherwise lets continue the process of Extremism.

0 3

NO LIMIT Sunday, 22 April 2012 03:52 AM

Why do they try to construct a mosque within a sacred religious site. They could not find a single block of land elsewhere? What was there for 60 years was just a private construction such as a shrine room but now it has been developed as a fully fledged mosque but even the government agrees that it was un-authorized structure and has not received any municipal or town council approval to build. Any religious place need prior government approval before building but they never applied. You know why? Because they knew it was being built on the land belonging to Dambulu viharaya. Tell me if any of the above pundits will keep quite if they come and put up a mosque in your backyard.

16 8

Rahaeem Sunday, 22 April 2012 03:22 AM

Not only for Tamils, Moors and Christians, it is the same for Sinhalese.

1 7

SriLankan Saturday, 21 April 2012 05:28 PM

Mother Lanka will only progress in all spheres if there is unity within the communities. If you look at the post independence SL, it is visible why SL cant develop as one nation. Only if we trust and build up brotherhood regardless of our races, religions we can hope for a righteous society. At the end of the day it doesnt matter what color or religion you belong to, you should be able to stand up proud and say we did something as SRI LANKANS!

2 12

Hamdan Saturday, 21 April 2012 03:28 PM

Banana Republic in the making...

2 9

srilankan Saturday, 21 April 2012 02:39 PM

is this wat u call peace in sri lanka.....holy shit....the real end for insulting and disobeying onez religion would be highly considered by the gods of heaven.......this is for sure....every involved in racist would be gathered in hell eating there own shits.......

2 11

rashmi Saturday, 21 April 2012 10:24 AM

where are we heading to ? we are just recovering from one problem and here there is another ! cant we live like one nation resepcting every one and their religions too ?

3 34

Siththan Saturday, 21 April 2012 10:01 AM

Immagine ! If all these to well guarde(d MUSLIM COUNTRIES)mosques go through such phases, what would be to tamils who has nobody to defend!

2 20

Royalist Friday, 20 April 2012 12:52 PM

... and one country for all...

32 109

Fazlyma Saturday, 21 April 2012 09:18 AM

The peace & Calm’s just been talking. The racism & cruelty is being fuelled by top to bottom. It is obvious that the said PEACE MOTHER LANKA never never is going to be in future as well. Nevertheless we all pray for the PEACE LANKA.

5 22

jack Saturday, 21 April 2012 09:09 AM

peace peace peace or at last jihad

4 17

Trualf Saturday, 21 April 2012 06:44 AM

All SriLankans are Minority compare to India and China Ect. There are no other minorities in the Country. All are Peaceful SriLankans

9 30

imca Saturday, 21 April 2012 06:09 AM

The following is the story behind the above news item..

Its 60 year old very small mosque building with iron roof
mosque forced to abandon prayers by protesters

The mosque has been forced to abandon Friday prayers amid community tensions in the central town of Dambulla.

About 2,000 Buddhists, including monks, marched to the mosque and held a demonstration demanding its demolition.

A mosque official told the BBC he and several dozen companions were trapped inside and feared the crowd would destroy the building.

Overnight the mosque had been targeted by a fire-bombing - no-one was hurt.

The BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo says the tensions have been growing in the neighbourhood.

Shortly after the protest the mosque was evacuated and its Friday prayers cancelled.

6 39

Noor Saturday, 21 April 2012 06:22 AM

This will lead to a another enthnic crisis, this is everyones motherland.

5 56

mallie Saturday, 21 April 2012 05:52 AM

Our monks are doing a good job, but who is going to preach our people, becoze these monks are busy with other means.

14 30

DeSilva Friday, 20 April 2012 12:50 PM

reconciliation what reconciliation?
Sri Lanka one country there is no minorities read there is no room for minorties

58 160

Azy Friday, 20 April 2012 12:52 PM

Big question about sri lankas future...

28 195

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