Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam says the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thero, has exposed serious irregularities within the Department of Archaeology related to the Kurunthur Malai land dispute.
In a statement, MP Shanakiyan said he met Ven. Dhammarathana Thero in Mihintale following a special invitation. During the meeting, the monk handed over a written document containing details of a complaint made to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 21 July 2025.
According to the complaint, a senior officer of the Archaeology Department, identified as Jayathilaka, had allegedly brought Buddhist religious symbols in sacks and scattered them across nearby paddy fields and lands, which were then marked and documented as archaeological sites by the department.
MP Shanakiyan said the monk’s decision to expose such actions was commendable, noting that it reflected integrity and a genuine commitment to truth and justice.
He further added that during the meeting, Ven. Dhammarathana Thero also proposed introducing legislation to make Sinhala, Tamil, and English compulsory for all citizens, to foster unity and understanding among communities. (Newswire)
