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Trincomalee in turmoil over removal of Buddha statue

Published

9 months ago

2025/11/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

Situation under control – Minister

Issue was mismanaged – Sajith

Dayasiri prevented from raising issue

The removal by the police of a Buddha statue from a famous temple plunged Trincomalee into turmoil, on Sunday. The police stepped in amidst tension over an attempt by the Coast Conservation Department to take action against a building near the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara, in Trincomalee.

The monks of the temple and devotees staged a protest, claiming that they were restoring a Dhamma school building.

Subsequently, the police personnel removed a Buddha statue placed on the disputed site.

SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera tried to raise the issue in Palriament on Monday, but he was not given an opportunity to speak. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa took up the issue, accusing the Speaker of having acted in a partisan manner and prevented MP Jayasekera from bringing a vital issue to the attention of the House.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told the House that the Buddha statue had been removed for its safety and it had been returned to the temple yesterday morning under police protection.

Wijepala said the police had removed the statue after receiving information about possible vandalism, prompting the overnight removal of the statue from the Dhamma school premises. It was returned to the site yesterday morning. He said police had been instructed to maintain calm and enforce a special security plan from today to ensure the statue’s safety.

Minister Wijepala said further action would be taken according to the decision in a court case.

Wijepala said that the Coast Conservation Department had lodged a complaint about an alleged illegal restaurant operating in the same area. The police, he said, would proceed with legal action once a court directive was issued.

The Minister’s explanation drew sharp criticism from Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who accused him of capitulating to nationalist pressure. In a post on X, the MP described the Minister’s justification as a “major U-turn,” arguing that the Tamil community had never targeted places of worship, even during the decades-long conflict.

A video, circulating on social media, shows a Buddhist monk insisting the site is of religious heritage value. However, officials note that the land was under the Coast Conservation Department, which had previously flagged unauthorised activity there.

The Minister said that the situation was under control, with enhanced security measures now in place ahead of the statue’s reinstallation. “Further actions would be taken on the basis of court decisions,” he said.

By Saman Indrajith

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UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing

Published

4 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

More than 100 people have been killed in Nepal and Tibet, and hundreds of tourists are missing, after a massive flash flood and mudslide

The missing tourists include more than 100 from India, 54 from the US, and 33 from the UK, as well as more than 100 from Nepal itself, according to Nepal’s tourist board. The area is popular with pilgrims and trekker.

Dozens of police officers and army prtxonnel are also missing, as well as power workers. My family was swept away in front of me, one woman tells us – she and her son survived by climbing to a rooftop

In Tibet, Chinese state media report three dead and 265 missing, CCTV from Tibet shows a wall of water and mud hitting buildings at a border crossing.

Authorities initially thought an earthquake may have triggered a landslide – the US Geological Survey now says the sesimic energy was instead generated by a landslide.

(BBC)

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Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota

Published

9 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Advisory for High Waves
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 03.30 p.m. on 26 August 2026 Valid for the period until 03.30 p.m. 27 August 2026

An advisory for high waves has been issued for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota and naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the aforementioned sea areas, as well as coastal communities living in the aforementioned nearshore areas, are advised to remain vigilant in this regard

The swell waves (about 2.0 m – 3.0 m) height (This is not for land area) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota. There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Galle, may experience surges due to swell waves.

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We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM

Published

11 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that, given their particular vulnerability children with disabilities require protection, and stressed the need to foster social awareness to protect them from negative social influences while promoting their physical and mental well-being. She emphasized the need to implement awareness programmes for parents, teachers and other members of society towards this end.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday [August 25] while visiting and observing the National Institute of Special and Inclusive Education – Shishyodaya, located in Veniwelkola.

The purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit was to observe the institutional structure and gain an understanding of the areas that require further development.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a systematic mechanism should be established to transform the institution, which was established in 2019 outside the basic standards and plans for Inclusive Education, into an institution that provides quality education to children and fulfills the targeted objectives of inclusive education. She also proposed appointing a special committee to make the necessary recommendations in this regard.

The Prime Minister further stated that steps would be taken in coordination with the Ministry of Health to address the shortage of therapists and medical professionals required to provide clinical services to students at the institution. She also stressed that the maintenance of equipment and buildings should be carried out properly using the financial allocations provided for such purposes.

The Prime Minister further noted that finding sustainable solutions to the issues faced by the institution is essential, while immediate interventions should be made to address issues that can be resolved without delay. The welfare of the teachers serving at the institution was also discussed during the visit.

Member of Parliament Anura Panagoda, Chairman of the Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Kasun Rathnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, ministry officials, parents and students were present.