By Romesh Madusanka and Sithum Chaturanga

The Mullaithivu magistrate’s court has ordered the removal of new constructions at the historic Kurundi Vihara Cheithiya. Chief Incumbent of the temple Ven. Galgamuwe Santhabodhi Thera said Magistrate R.Sarwanarajah made this order on Thursday (14) when the case came up for hearing. 

He said enshrining the sacred relics in the Cheithiya after completing the conservation project implemented by the Department of Archaeology and the Buddist Affairs Ministry with the help of the security forces, was scheduled to take place on June 12 but it was suspended due to the protests of Tamil politicians. Ven. Thera said the case against the Kurundi Vihara was taken up through a motion filed by the protesters and that the magistrate ordered the removal of all construction works and to refrain from any further construction work.  

Ven. Santhabodhi Thera said the Department of Archaeology was taking steps to make representations to the Attorney General against the magistrate’s order. 

He said Kurundi Cheithiya had been built by King Khallatanaga in 103AD and renovated by King Agbo in 571AD and that it is the largest archaeological site in the North.