Protests over illegally constructed Buddhist temple continue in Thaiyiddy

by admin
Oct 22, 2024

Tamils protested outside the Tissa Raja Vihara, a Buddhist temple which was illegally constructed and encroaches on the lands owned by local residents in Thaiyiddy, Jaffna. 

Every Poya (full moon) day, Tamils gather at the site to protest the Buddhist temple which was illegally constructed on land that is occupied by the Sri Lankan army. 

Although the protests began last year, no action has been taken by the Sri Lankan government. Since the protests began, the Sri Lankan police erected barricades around the Buddhist structure to prevent the public from entering the area.

However, many residents have joined the protest in solidarity despite the continued intimidation by the police and military personnel.

The North-East has been subject to Sinhalisation for decades but in recent years, Sri Lanka has ramped up its efforts to appropriate non-Buddhist places of worship and lands.

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