A photograph taken inside the ‘Temple of the Tooth’ captures a moment from the alleged pre-shoot featuring a couple who posed as bride and groom  

• A couple posing as bride and groom in the photo shoot had the audacity to post their pictures on Facebook
• No permission had been sought to take photos from the lay custodian of the temple

Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) is a protected monument under the Antiquities Ordinance and it is also named as a Heritage Site by both the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and International Council of Museums (ICOM). 

This shrine is the palladium of the Buddhist world and it is a gazetted Sacred Historical Site by the State.

Be that as it may, a few days ago, a couple-whose marital status is unknown-had the audacity to take ‘wedding photographs’ using this sacred place to enhance the quality of the background in the images. They did so with the aid of a so-called ‘wedding photographer’. Their audacity also knew no limits as they went on to post these pictures on Facebook.

Though everyone is aghast with regard to this issue, rightly the Assistant Archaeological Commissioner’s office in Kandy has complained to the Police. These authorities are awaiting the police report to file papers to the Director General of Archeology to facilitate taking further action.

In the meantime, Diyawdana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela had taken notice of these photographs and has complained to the Police and it is said that an inquiry into issue is pending.

The irony is that the area where the photographs were taken seems to have been cleared by the Police; allowing the couple and the photographer to take their photographs and leave the location. 

The photographs clearly show that there is not a single devotee in the photograph. This is because it was the rush time for devotees. These devotees were directed into the Hewisi Mandpaya (Drummers’ Hall), from another entrance; allegedly by the Police. It is also speculated that this was done to make the area free of devotees for the purpose of taking photographs of the couple.  No permission had been taken from either the Diyawadana Nilame or the ‘Maha Lekam’ or General Secretary of the temple; this position is held by a retired Public Servant who was at one time a Government Agent in a Province.

Taking of photos barred

Taking of photographs in the ‘Ambarawa’ or the Tunnel shaped entrance is never allowed. It is because this is a sacred area. During the Perahera (pageant) the Golden Karanduwa (casket) is taken through this entrance and has been a practice since 1753. The Upasampada monks (senior) are taken through this entrance and so are the VVIP’s who visit the temple; often in the capacity of officials.

No permission had been sought to take photos from the lay custodian of the temple. This official has the sole authority at Dalada  Maligawa and his authority spreads to areas like controlling  lands, finances, the day to day affairs at the temple which also includes various rituals.  In fact he is the sole authority appointed by the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs as the Diywadana Nilame on behalf of the State.

A right thinking Police officer would have sought permission from the Diyawadana Nilame or the Maha Lekam. This is because taking of photographs while being in a group is not normally allowed within the perimetre of the ‘Vadisitiana Maligawa’; the area coming under the Inner Shrine. 

The Police are on duty and in civvies 24 hours of the day. And it is alleged that some uniformed personnel had helped in clearing the path of devotees to facilitate photo session-pre-shoot. These activities like photo taking is done entirely for momentary gain. 

There is a craze among wedding photographers to attract the attention of their clients in order to enhance their fee; hence the selecting of locations like temples for pre-shoots.  

In Kandy one can see photographers at work even during the late evenings; occupying pavements, dark corners and all odd places to facilitate there trade. Mostly their clients are couples who are after their marriages. If it not after a wedding the photo session is a ‘pre-shoot’.  Well that is their business, from the context of using a religious institution like the Temple of the Tooth, the situation is different because there is an element of sacredness associated with the institution. Such institutions belonging to the State and its people and is not the private property of wedding photographers.

The Police are there for the protection of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. And there is a school of thought that they should have sought the permission of the Secretary General of the Maligawa or the Diyawadana Nilame or the administrative Secretary before the photo session commenced.

However these photos have drawn the attention of many who are shocked that these ‘captures’ on camera were allowed within the Hallowed Shrine. 

There is a story doing the rounds that a couple, after a wedding, had come in the ‘Nilame’ attire to worship at the temple. There were no Police at that time investigate into this incident. 

An official at the temple who had seen the couple coming into the Maligawa had approached them and said “There is only One Nilame in the Maligawa and two Nilames cannot be here. Please go out remove the Nilame dress and come into the Maligawa”.

The couple had then followed orders and later returned to the temple to engage in religious observances. The male partner had then asked, “Can I present my ring to the Sacred Shrine”.  The official had then directed him to the monks of the Inner Shrine Room and the man had offered his wedding ring to the Sacred Shrine. 

The Sacred Tooth Relic is the property of the State and it is therefore of the people. Kings have revered the Sacred Tooth Relic as their personal possession since it arrived from the State of Kalinga in India.

When the British took over the reins in Sri Lanka in 1815, the first thing they did was to take custody of the Sacred Relic. This is because it is considered the property of State. The British took into their custody ‘The Temple of the Tooth’ and kept it under the guard of the Army; 24 hours of the day. During this time, every evening, the keys of the Temple were taken to the residence of British national Sir John D’Oyly. And then the keys were taken to the Government Agent until they were handed over to the lay custodians due to pressure from the Anglican Church. 

When the British handed over the keys to the three custodians, namely the Mahanayakes of Asgiri, Malwatte and the Diywadana Nilame there were strict instructions conveyed by letter that if they should breach the regulations then the keys would be taken back by the State.

If the Maligawa authorities are to give free access for wedding couples to be photographed it would break the sanctity of the Shrine.

However, we have to observe present times as to what action would be taken by the Police. This is because the law enforcement officials now face two complaints; one by the Diyawadana Nilame who is the protector of the Shrine and the other by law the Archaeological Commissioner, under whom comes the ‘Protected Monument’. 

Let us await with crossed fingers as to what would be the outcome of this dastardly act that took place inside the most revered Buddhist shrine in the country.