Tamils demand handing over their land where a Vihara is built illegally in North
War-affected Tamils in the Kankesanthurai (KKS) area in the Northern Province have demanded the land ‘illegally occupied’ by the army which constructed the ‘Tissa Buddhist Vihara’ to hand over the land back to them.
“In yet another brazen land grabbing incident the ‘occupying’ Sri Lankan Army usurped the lands belonging to the Tamils and constructed the said Buddhist Vihara there,” the locals protesting to reclaim their lands told local journalists.
A group of Tamil representatives staged a protest seeking the release of the lands on Poya day led by the Jaffna District parliamentarian and General Secretary of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Selvarasa Kajendran.
“We need our lands back; we don’t need the police who disturb communal harmony” protestors raised slogans during the demonstration. The protest seeking their traditional lands was held along the roadside near the ‘Tissa Vihara’ constructed by the army in Thaitty in the KKS-Valikamam North area.
Videos of Natarasa Kandeepan, a lawyer from the TNPF requesting the pilgrims coming to the Vihara to observe ‘Buddhist Traditions’ meaning maintaining communal harmony and brotherhood were also recorded.
“We humbly request you. If you go and worship at the Vihara which has been constructed illegally in our land, Buddha will curse you. Go to Naga Vihara. This is our land. Owners are still there. The police are giving protection to the illegal Vihara. The whole generation would be cursed. So please don’t allow that to happen. This was not preached by Buddha. Act according to Buddha’s teachings”.
The protestors allege the Military built the Vihara without the approval of the local authority by grabbing the private lands belonging to the Tamils.
“The Military officially announced on their website on April 29th this year, that the installation of the reconstructed stupa in the historical Tissa Vihara at Kankesanthurai was held on the 27th of April 2023”.
“This Vihara which has a historical significance was built by Thevanampiyatissa king in the 3rd century AD”.
Tamils protesting seeking the return of their lands say the military forcefully grabbed 6.2 acres of land belonging to 14 Tamil families and has constructed the Tissa Vihara and sought the immediate release of their lands.
They also pointed out the approval from the Tellipalai Divisional Secretary’s permission was not obtained to construct the Vihara.
