Religious controversy in Mullaithivu

The erection of a massive Buddhist Vihara by the Sri Lanka Army in the Saptha Kannimar Kovil complex has caused hindrance to conduct religious rituals in the said Kovil. The Hindu Kovil acquired during the war is located in Vadduvagal under the purview of the Karaithuraipattu Divisional Secretariat in the Mullaithivu District. 

It is said that although the matter had been brought to the attention of various parties following the resettlement, no action has been taken, whatsoever, up to now causing great inconvenience to conduct religious rituals in the Kovil.   

Meanwhile, the Saptha Kannimar Kovil located in Vadduvagal under the purview of the Karaithuraipattu Divisional Secretariat in the Mullaithivu District had been a historically renowned ancient temple. The temple complex where religious rituals were conducted in the traditional manner was acquired by the Army during the war and a vihara had been built by them in the temple complex.   

Meanwhile, the Army erecting a Buddhist Vihara in the temple complex where traditional religious rituals were conducted when there was not even a single Buddhist living in the area, has caused much inconvenience and difficulties to the people in the region.   

Although this matter was brought to the attention of various parties by the temple authorities and village level organizations, no action, whatsoever, has been taken as yet. Under these circumstances, a request has been made to the relevant authorities to intervene in the matter and bring about a solution to the issue.   

Meanwhile, the Army had made it a practice to erect Buddhist Viharas in various places in the Mullaithivu District, that were acquired by them during the war. Thrusting of Buddhism  continued unabated in this manner  in Mullaithivu as well, it is reported..  

‘Sri Lanka becoming a failed state by prioritising religion‘

By A.H.A.Hussein 

Although the government brought to an end the weapon struggle , it has failed to win over the hearts of the war- affected people since its emphasis has been on prioritising  religion, former Eastern Province  Chief Minister Zainulabdeen Nazeer Ahamad said.

“As a result, Sri Lanka is about to occupy first place in the list of failed states,” he said commenting on the current racial discord  prevailing in the country.   

“Although the government was victorious in the 30- year- war, they failed to win over the hearts of the multi-racial country like ours. This is the cause of the religious discord which is taking a different dimension every day,” Mr.Nazeer Ahamad said.   

He said that the religious hatred  propagated by the hegemony was going to split the country and the inaction of those in power tolerating the officials implementing the authority and the impending danger caused by them would very soon be knocking at every one’s door.   

“The hegemonic regime together with the religious fanatics will ultimately lead the country to further disaster and in order to  prevent this disaster, the activists in the Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim communities should act fast to prevent the calamity,” he said.