SL govt to step up Sinhalisation with fund for Buddhist temples in North

by Gaya
Mar 16, 2021

The Sri Lankan government has announced a substantial fund specifically for the development of Buddhist temples in the Northern Province, sparking further concerns about Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland.

Earlier this month, Newfirst.lk reported that Rs. 35 million had been allocated to the development of Buddhist temples in the Northern Province, with Rs. 10 million going to the 'Nagadeepa' Vihara on Nainathivu, the Jaffna islet which is home to the historic Tamil Hindu Nagapooshani Amman temple.

Rs. 22 million had also been allocated for the development of 'Dhamma schools' - Buddhist religious schools in the North. 

A recent report by the Oakland Institute labelled the ongoing militarisation and Buddhist colonisation of the Tamil homeland as 'endless war'.

In January, a Tamil temple's land was seized, a Buddha statue laid and the area declared an archaeological site, despite a court injunction against changes to the area. The grab was led by a Sri Lankan government minister (pictured on day of incident).

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