Sri Lankan police arrest 3 TNPF members during protest against landgrab of Tamil temple site

by Sharmini
Jun 12, 2022

Three Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) members have been arrested today as they protested against a landgrab of a native Tamil temple in Kurunthurmalai, Mullaitivu.

Local Tamils and politicians organised a protest at Kurunthurmalai today to oppose a Buddhist dedication ceremony taking place at the Athi Aiyanar temple, which has been subjected to intense landgrab efforts by Sinhala Buddhist monks over recent years. 

Despite a court order decreeing that no changes could be made to the site, Buddhist monks aided by the Sri Lankan army and archaeology department, have been excavating the area. The Sri Lankan army and the archeology department have also intimidated and banned local Tamils from entering the area.

Following the arrest and the work of local TNPF members, the arrested members were all released.

 

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