Buddhist statue removed by Police in Trincomalee reinstalled in original location

A Buddhist statue removed by the Police in a controversial manner in Trincomalee was reinstalled today afternoon, subject to getting final state approval to use the location.

The controversy had risen after monks of the Shri Sambuddhajayanthi temple located on the Trincomalee Fort road placed a foundation stone for a Dhampasel building and placed a Buddhist statue at the location.

The Coast Conservation Department had tried to remove the temporary structure and later the Police arrived and removed the Buddhist statue.

In the process of trying to remove the statue, the Chief incumbent and another monk were injured and hospitalised.

The monks claimed that the statue was placed at a location where a Dhahampasel building was destroyed due to the tsunami in 2004.

The issue was raised in Parliament with opposition members protesting over the issue.

A discussion was held at the District Secretary’s office attended by DIG Mahinda Dissanayake and Buddhist monks in the area today and permission was granted to replace the Buddhist statue, subject to gaining approval from the relevant authorities.

Accordingly, Police replaced the statue which they removed.