The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has decided to restore a police presence at the Kurundi Rajamaha Viharaya archaeological site in Mullaitivu, Ada Derana reported.
The decision follows a written request from the temple’s chief incumbent, Ven. Galgamuwe Santhabodhi Thero, who asked the ministry to reinstate the officers previously stationed there.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi has informed the chief incumbent that immediate steps will be taken to provide the police security requested, the report said, citing ministry sources.
The chief incumbent’s case
Police officers had been posted at the site since archaeological excavation and conservation work began there. In his letter, Ven. Santhabodhi Thero said the officers had also acted against people entering the archaeological reserve without authorisation.
He warned that the withdrawal of police personnel had placed the site, its antiquities and the adjoining forest reserve at risk. The Thero also said various groups had periodically visited the site to stage protests and other activities, and that police were empowered to act to maintain civil order.
The ministry has now agreed to take steps to restore the police presence at the temple premises.
Context
Kurundi, in the Northern Province district of Mullaitivu, is among the archaeological sites in the north where excavation and conservation work has been contested, with competing claims over land use and religious access. The characterisations above are those of the chief incumbent as relayed in the report.
The report did not say when the police were withdrawn or why, how many officers are to be redeployed, or when the redeployment would take place. It also carried no response from the Department of Archaeology, the Mullaitivu police, or any of the groups referred to in the chief incumbent’s letter. No other verified newsroom had reported the ministry’s decision at the time of writing.
