A group of women have staged a protest blocking the main road in Mihintale against illicit liquor in the area. 

The protesting women claimed that men in the area were addicted to illicit liquor, which was ruining families. 

Claiming that this was also affecting the education of young children, the women said their hard-earned income was being used by the men to consume illicit liquor. 

“Ten men from our village have died due to illicit liquor. Five more are ill. Why is the Mihintale Police not taking action? They are bribing the Police, who in turn support the illicit liquor trade. We call on the government to provide us with a solution and take action against the illicit liquor trade,” they added. (Newswire)

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The chief incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with recent public statements allegedly made about him.

Speaking to the media outside the CID, the thero’s lawyer said the visit was to lodge a complaint alleging that Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister K. D. Lal Kantha has been carrying out a “strategic and well-planned attack” against the monk using several online and social media platforms. The lawyer said the thero is a widely respected public figure and that such statements are unethical.

The lawyer added that the authorities were provided with the names of those responsible, along with relevant social media links, and said they believe police have the power to take immediate steps to halt such statements. He said the complaint was not personal but aimed at preventing harm to the Buddha Sasana, adding that this marked only the beginning of legal action and that they are prepared to follow due process.

Addressing reporters, Dhammarathana Thera said he is not discouraged by the videos or statements made against him and cannot be discouraged by such actions. He said the move to the CID was not personal, even if others choose to view it that way, and stressed that he and his supporters are acting in what they believe to be their duty to the country.

The Thera also said that if the minister were to offer an apology, he would be willing to grant forgiveness. However, he said the minister must act responsibly, noting that as a public official paid by taxpayers, he is accountable to the public. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa alleges Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha has violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act No. 56 of 2007 (ICCPR Act) by insulting Buddhism and the Maha Sangha. 

Issuing a statement, MP Rajapaksa noted that Lal Kantha recently insulted the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunawe Dhammarathana Thera by referring to him as a “forest dweller,” and strongly condemned such disparagement of a Buddhist leader.

Pointing out that the ICCPR Act specifies that “no person shall propagate war or advocate national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence,” Rajapaksa further said Lal Kantha’s remarks amount to spreading religious hatred. 

He questioned the government on what legal action would be taken against Lal Kantha under this law for insulting Buddhist leaders and promoting religious hostility, stressing that the law should apply equally to all.

The MP added that if an ordinary citizen or an opposition member had violated the law in this manner, they would already have been arrested and prosecuted, yet the government remains silent regarding Lal Kantha’s spreading of religious hatred and insults against the Maha Sangha.

MP Rajapaksa also emphasized that although there have been differences of opinion between politicians and the Maha Sangha throughout history, no politician in Sri Lanka has ever insulted the Maha Sangha in this way. (Newswire)

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Investigations have been launched by officials of the Anuradhapura Range regarding a video showing a man setting fire to an elephant in the Mihintale Seeppukulama, Ambagahawela area.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation stated that information on the elephant’s death will be reported to the court today (17).

Issuing a statement, the department noted that the suspect who set fire to the elephant has not yet been arrested.

Officials of the Anuradhapura Range, together with officers of the Army Intelligence Service, are continuing investigations to apprehend the suspect.

The elephant, a male aged around 50–55 years and about nine feet tall, had previously been found in the same area with a gunshot wound to its front left leg. 

It had been treated by officers of the Pandulagama Veterinary Office on 14 May, 4 June, and 3 July 2025, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Afterwards, no further reports were received about the elephant, though Anuradhapura Range officials continued monitoring it.

However, yesterday (16 Dec), the elephant was found collapsed on land in the Seeppukulama, Ambagahawela area, suffering from burn injuries and the earlier gunshot wound. 

Following notification by Anuradhapura wildlife officers, veterinary surgeon Madhuwanthi and staff from the Pandulagama Veterinary Office arrived and administered treatment, but the elephant died during the process. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says all those involved in killing the elephant at Seeppukulama in Mihintale must be punished without discrimination.

In a special message on social media, Premadasa said that a group had set fire to the elephant in the Ambagaha Wewa area of Mihintale, Anuradhapura District, describing it as a vile, despicable and disgraceful act. 

He stressed that everyone responsible must be brought before the law, and that the government, the Wildlife Department, and civil society must work together to prevent such barbaric incidents.

Premadasa also paid tribute to the wildlife veterinarians and officials who treated the sick elephant, expressing gratitude for their service. He emphasized that such heinous acts must be condemned by the entire nation and stopped immediately.

He further noted that the legal process against those involved should be implemented without delay, to demonstrate that anyone committing such acts will be held accountable. As an environmentalist, he expressed sorrow over the incident, highlighting that human–elephant conflict is increasing in Sri Lanka and requires a clear, community‑based programme to minimize it.

Premadasa added that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is committed to supporting efforts to resolve the human–elephant conflict and protect both human and elephant lives. He called for strengthening the resource‑strapped Wildlife Department with adequate human and physical resources, and for implementing a national programme to prevent human–elephant conflict. He also stressed the need for a national awareness campaign starting from schools in areas where human–elephant and human–wildlife conflicts occur.

Premadasa concluded that the government has failed to implement a clear programme to prevent the human–elephant conflict, and therefore an urgent national plan must be introduced. (Newswire)

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The Police have launched an investigation into the death of a 61-year-old resident of Mahakirindegama, Mihintale, who died following an assault. 

According to authorities, the victim was admitted to the Anuradhapura Hospital after being injured during an altercation and later succumbed to his injuries last morning (07 Dec).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute between the victim and his wife the previous night. The wife allegedly assaulted him with a blunt object during the argument. 

The suspect, a 53-year-old woman, has been arrested in connection with the death. The body has been placed at the Anuradhapura Hospital mortuary, and further investigations are underway by the Mihintale Police. (Newswire)

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Three persons, including a former councillor of the Mihintale Provincial Council, have been injured in a brawl at a restaurant in Mihintale Town. 

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the injured persons include a former SLPP provincial councillor, a student of the Rajarata University, and an employee of the restaurant.

The Mihintale Police stated that the former provincial councillor had engaged in a heated argument with the university student who was having dinner at the restaurant, resulting in a physical brawl.

A group of Rajarata University students who had arrived at the location had later assaulted the former provincial councillor.

The former provincial councillor, the university student, and an employee of the restaurant who had sustained serious injuries had been admitted to the Mihintale Hospital and were later transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. (Newswire)

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Chief Prelate of the Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara Venerable Walawahengunawewa Dhammarathana Thera has offered conditional support to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential elections. 

Dhammarathana Thera who has been a staunch critic of the Government as well as the Opposition Leader said that he is willing to extend his support, on the condition that a number of promises will be fulfilled if Premadasa is elected President. 

“I make a request from the public, by informing them of this decision and requesting them to support Sajith Premadasa. But this is on the condition that he will fulfil a number of promises. Let’s give this leader power and make him work,” Dhammarathana Thera said. (Newswire)

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Office has refuted allegations made by the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, concerning former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, the Ven. Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera had allegedly claimed that former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was receiving multiple pensions.

Refuting the allegations, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Office said in a statement that the claims by Ven. Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera are based on unverified information.

The former President’s Office further said it vehemently rejects these claims and asserts that there are no pensions or government payments allocated to former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. (NewsWire)

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A 23-year-old woman has been killed after being attacked by her husband in the Mihintale area last night.

The Police said the woman had been attacked with a blunt object over a family dispute.

Investigations revealed she was killed at her residence in Mihintale, while her 32-year-old husband has been apprehended over the murder.

The Mihintale Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been requested to redeploy security personnel for the security and development of the Mihintale sacred area.

The request was made by the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and the Malwatte chapters in a letter to the President. 

In their letter, the Chief Prelates called for Army personnel to be deployed for labour work related to the development activities in the sacred area.

They further called for Civil Security officials and Police personnel to be deployed to ensure the security of people, including local and foreign tourists, visiting the Mihintale Temple. 

The appeal to the President comes after the government, earlier in December, decided to withdraw over 200 Sri Lanka Army soldiers assigned to work at the Mihintale sacred area. 

The decision was taken in response to a complaint from the Chief incumbent of the temple, who expressed concern about two army officers in civilian clothing, deeming it a threat to his life. (NewsWire)

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The Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has settled the outstanding electricity bill of the Mihintale Sacred City amounting to Rs. 4.1 million since 2022.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) on Wednesday (August 02) disconnected the power supply to the Mihintale Sacred City after prior notice over the outstanding bills.

Condemning the move to disconnect the power supply to the Mihintale Sacred City, Opposition and SJB Leader MP Sajth Premadasa told the media today that the outstanding arrears have been settled.

Issuing a statement, MP Premadasa said that a decision had been made to pay off the arrears following a discussion with party members and the Samagi Buddhist Advisory Committee.

The arrears were paid from donations received from the party members and other donors for this purpose, he added.

Video : https://fb.watch/mcDrpuWEAd/ (NewsWire)

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Electricity supply to the Mihintale sacred city has been disconnected due to non-payment of due arrears amounting to Rs. 4.1 million since 2022, it was reported.

According to Daily Mirror, the electricity supply to the Mihintale sacred city was disconnected yesterday.

Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera stated that the power supply has been disconnected at a time when a massive development project is in progress at the Minintale sacred city. 

Stating that they are not in a position to pay Rs.4.1 million as claimed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Ven. Dhammarathana Thera claimed that the government should provide immediate protection to the archaeological site.

Ven. Dhammarathana Thera further urged the CEB to install separate meters for the living quarters of the monks which he said could be settled.

Meanwhile, the CEB confirmed that the Mihintale Scare City owed outstanding electricity bills amounting to Rs. 4.1 million since 2022 and the Chief Incumbent had been requested to settle this. 

The CEB added that measures were taken to disconnect the power supply yesterday at 11.00 pm after prior notice. (NewsWire)

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The Government today refuted allegations made by various parties about the lack of funding for the Anuradhapura Poson Program. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), two Ministries and one Department have already granted Rs. 28.8 million for this purpose.

The highest allocation by the Ministry of Buddhasasana for the Poson Mihintale Perahera was made this year.

This was also the highest allocation to be made for the Poson Mihintale Perahera since 2019, the PMD added. (NewsWire)

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