Vandalising of Vadunnagala Pabbatha Viharaya Activists go before SC

• The petitioners stated that Vaddamana Pabbatha Viharaya, dates back to the early Anuradhapura era and according to  the inscriptions these caves were gifted  to the Maha Sangha

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the authorities to take immediate action to secure and protect the Vadunagala Pabbatha Viharaya Archaeological site in Vavuniya District.  

The petitioners Ven. Galgamuwe Shanthabodhi Thera, Brig. (Rtd) Athula De Silva, journalist Shenali D. Waduge, businesswoman Jihan Hameed, Nilhan Paul Fernando and Upali Jayasinghe Bandara filed this petition through their lawyer Dharshana Weraduwage.   Vaddamana Parvatha (Pabbatha) Viharaya Vedikinnarimalai Archaeological site is located in the Nainayamadu Forest in the district of Vavuniya. The petitioners stated that Vaddamana Pabbatha Viharaya, a Buddhist monastic complex, dates back to the early Anuradhapura era. According to the inscriptions these caves were gifted (Saangika) to the Maha Sangha.  

The petitioners stated that this ancient Buddhist monastery has a long history. In 2010 this place was rediscovered and re-identified by the Department of Archaeology and was suggested to be gazetted as an archaeological protected monument. The petitioners alleged that in 2018, acts of vandalism occurred in this place, where the floor of one of the caves with Brahmi inscriptions was filled with soil brought from outside and levelled. The bricks from the brick stupa were removed and an image of a God has been inserted.  

The Petitioners further stated that the actions or inactions of the respondents, including IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, Senior DIG Vijitha Gunaratne, DIG Ampawila, SSP Chamika Wickremasinghe and others are wilful, negligent and unreasonable and have vehemently violated the fundamental rights of the Buddhist Citizenry duly guaranteed under Article 10, Article 12.1 and Article 14 (1) (e) of Sri Lanka’s Constitution.  

• The petitioners alleged that in 2018, acts of vandalism occurred in this  place, where the floor of one of the caves with Brahmi inscriptions was  filled with soil brought from outside and levelled