Manikkamadu Temple land dispute: AG promises solution by May 1

Ampara Government Agent Thusitha P.wanigasinghe yesterday convened a meeting to discuss the dispute that had arisen over the Ampara Manikkamadu Temple land. He promised all parties concerned that he would resolve the issue by May 1.

However Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatta Gnanasara Thera told the GA that the relevant authorities had granted approval to build the temple on that land and that no further discussion was necessary on the subject. The Ven. Thera said if the GA was not in a position to come to a decision they would

I am hopeful that the authorities will show a positive response to our claim

commence building work immediately.

The GA said two of the individuals claiming ownership of the land were permit holders and that steps would be taken to find alternative lands for them. He said the surveying of the land was now going on and that the dispute could be settled by May 1.

Later the Maha Sangha led by Ven Gnanasara Thera and others visited the site. The Ven.thera told the media that more than 276 Buddhist places of worship had been found in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces, but most of the archaeological sites had now been encroached upon. “Vandalizing archaeological sites is going on unchecked. AntiBuddhist elements who receive political patronage are responsible for it. Several senior officials are involved in the ongoing land grab. Today we visited the area to look into the Manikkamadu temple land dispute. I am hopeful that the authorities will show a positive response to our claim. We will continue our campaign to protect the centuries old Buddhist heritage in the North and East.