Minister Ananda Wijepala has warned individuals to refrain from politicizing and creating racial or communal tensions using the recent incident in Trincomalee, involving the installation of a Buddha Statue.
Addressing Parliament today, Minister Wijepala said that some people were attempting to create racial and communal tensions using this issue, assuring that the NPP government will never allow any citizen of this nation to face injustice.
“We will not allow anyone to create racial and communal tensions in the country. The government has already intervened in the matter and taken necessary steps, and the area is peaceful,” he added.
Providing further information on the matter, Minister Wijepala said that a Police B report has been submitted to the Court, after which the Court had issued a notice fixing the next hearing for November 25.
“The court has also instructed that no further developments are allowed at the site until the next hearing. Following a discussion, all involved parties have consented to this,” he added.
Minister Ananda Wijepala made the remarks in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa regarding the recent tense situation that was reported in Trincomalee.
The tense situation arose after a group of monks had attempted to place a statue of the Lord Buddha at a Dhamma school at a Buddhist temple in the area.
A video circulated on social media showed a Buddhist monk claiming that the site is a religious heritage location. However, it was also reported that the land falls under the jurisdiction of the Coastal Conservation Department, and complaints had been filed regarding unauthorized activity on the premises.
According to the Police, the land is subject to a court order prohibiting any development. (Newswire)