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Building of Buddhist temples in North, East-- NFF condemns TNA

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6 May 2018 05:57 pm - 35     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The National Freedom Front (NFF) today condemned the Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) alleged attempt to halt the construction of Buddhist temples in the Northern and Eastern regions.

NFF National Organizer MP Jayantha Samaraweera said according to media reports the TNA had informed the Unity Government that it completely opposed the construction of Buddhist temples in the Northern and Eastern areas.

MP Samaraweera said TNA Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran had stating to a national newspaper, had vowed that he would never allow constructing Buddhist temples and had backed this issue from 2011.

He said the NFF strongly condemned MP Sumanthiran’s racist statement.

He also explained that Buddhism which harboured and practiced ‘Meththa’ (love and kindness) did not crate any harm or threat to any other religions.

“This country was built based on the essence of Buddhist culture. It had never created any restrictions to the Hindu, Catholic or Islamic religions to function while safeguarding their identities. Buddhist culture had always led towards true national and religious reconciliation,” he said.

The NFF Organiser also added that the NFF was not surprised by the TNA’s request but the entire Buddhists should pay their attention to such statements as the Unity Government administration could grant such a demand in the future in order to retain their power. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)


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  Comments - 35

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  • Kasun Sunday, 06 May 2018 06:23 PM

    Lair

    TJ Sunday, 06 May 2018 06:44 PM

    Anyone has the right to build temples in any part of the country in a secular state like Sri Lanka. But if you try to build places of worship at random, in a place where there are few followers of the particular religion, then you are up to mischief. The number of Buddhist temple in the North and East are more than adequate for the small number of Buddhist living in that part of the country. Don't try to whip up the sentiments of the people to polarize for your vote bank politics.

    arrow Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:36 PM

    srilanka a secular country?? lol.

    malij Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:49 PM

    There are no restrictions to build places of religion in other parts of SL. True there had been few issues due to some miscreants. But one wrong does not justify another or it definitely is not an excuse for a politician of Sumandiran's caliber to make a statement like that. The damage in a broader perspective would be irreparable.

    Siribiris Sunday, 06 May 2018 09:20 PM

    Even without building anything new, if the ruined and vandalised Buddhist sites of extensive historical and archaeological value are restored, that itself will put up thousands of Buddhist temples in Northern and Eastern provinces.

    Unchikun Sunday, 06 May 2018 06:56 PM

    Buddhism is a philosophy. As such under the present society we do not need temples at every junction or tree. Unfortunately the Buddhist philosophy is portrait as a religion by some for political and financial greed. I do not want this to happen. I am born to Buddhist parents and follow the Buddhist philosophy. I studied at the leading Buddhist school in Sri Lanka where we where taught the Buddhist philosophy. I do not visit any temple and proud to say my discipline is better that most of the guys in yellow fancy dress.

    malij Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:12 PM

    Mr. Sumandiran's speech is a fine concoction for spreading communalism again and should be condemned by all parties without any reservations. It would be interesting to see how he is going to react if the other provinces ban all the Hindu Temples and their activities. His speech had destroyed much of the reconciliation built during last couple of years, spreading mistrust and uneasiness among the majority Sinhalese people.

    HYPOCRITES Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:18 PM

    The National Freedom Front (NFF) cannot be 0ne sided in this issue. Turn your searchlight inwards and see on how many occasions there have been objections when it comes to build non buddhist places of worship., and NFF's silence. - and I am yet to see The National Freedom Front (NFF) condemning acts of arson when non buddhist places worhip are attacked/burnt

    Tourist Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:21 PM

    Indians gave you the Buddhism but you have used the Indian gift to polarise the Sri Lankan society.Then how can you expect the Tamils in the North who have suffered tremendously at your hands,to welcome setting up of Buddhist temples in their region.Things would have been different if you had used the Indian gift to coexist happily with other religions and races in Sri Lanka.

    MOHAMMED Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:28 PM

    what Do you need Sir All the Tamil People have been accepted in all of Sri lanka India Encouraged you to take arms and you destroyed our Country and Still you are being Arrogant and want to dominate ? Buddhists have been very Tolerant

    Ramesh Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:38 PM

    Mohammed,Were you sleeping when your people got hammered recently by the tolerant Buddhists in Kandy ?

    Unchikun Sunday, 06 May 2018 08:54 PM

    Why refer to Indians. We all came from Africa and are all one and the same.

    Dasun Monday, 07 May 2018 05:14 PM

    It's not "their region" it's Sri Lanka.a united country.its coz of ppl like u who are uneducated and dumb there are problems with communal tensions.you should just do something worthwhile.

    malij Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:25 PM

    Utter stupid statement. If this is the stance of the TNA, we will never achieve any reconciliation at all. No one in the south with a right mind would support any of their demands now. Back to squire one.

    malij Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:28 PM

    Sumanthiran has gone bonkers.

    SL Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:30 PM

    At least keep bulldozed temples there in North.

    sinhabahu Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:40 PM

    If TNA want trouble we can start removing kovils in sinhala areas.This is the result of a puppet ruling the country !

    Tamil Sunday, 06 May 2018 08:30 PM

    Yes you remove the temples in the South and let India take back the Buddhism given it to you as a present.

    Kevin Monday, 07 May 2018 11:44 AM

    3 times Buddhas visit to SL was also a gift by India?

    Gayan Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:49 PM

    Segregation is one form of achiving seperation.

    SL Sunday, 06 May 2018 07:51 PM

    Do not make " Sinhalese are racists " comments when reacted.

    Worshiper Sunday, 06 May 2018 08:58 PM

    There are enough temples, kovils, churches,mosques in SL. The problem is not enough people to worship. No need to stir up the country by trying to build places of worship in every nook and corner and under trees. One can carry out worshipping the God at home. The government must band construction of such places unless 500 people permanently resident in that place request for one.

    SENA Monday, 07 May 2018 03:52 PM

    Worshiper very well said.

    Johnpillai Monday, 07 May 2018 06:30 PM

    Temples are being built where there are not even a single Buddhist to pray. Surely people will uproar to protest.

    Nimal Sunday, 06 May 2018 09:03 PM

    People of different ethnic groups have lived in harmony for centuries and history says it was all politicians who have messed up this beautiful country. So far as this ugly political system prevails innocent people have to suffer.

    Ajit Monday, 07 May 2018 09:46 AM

    Times to consider and restore all the ruined and vandalised Buddhist archaeology sites!

    asela Monday, 07 May 2018 10:29 AM

    Sumanthiran and his LTTE supporters will bring up all what they want before Ranil goes and Gota comes to power. It is their plan since Sumanthiran knows that their rule over North will end soon.

    Mahajana Monday, 07 May 2018 10:56 AM

    Govt should take immediate measures to excavate,restore and protect all the Buddhist ruins in Srilanka, incl.8 Buddhist sights In Jaffna and resettle all the sinhalese who were the victims of racist tamil "ethnic clensing". A political discussion is only possible to thereafter!

    sathya Monday, 07 May 2018 11:05 AM

    These kind of politician try to survived by themselves by making hate between ethnics. Sad situation in politics. Politician in developed countries help to develop the country, but countries such as ours, they are always trying to develop themselves. Never love the country. But when they talk all the time say 'My Country,My Nation and My Religion to make convince those who are really love for at least one of these as a catch. Ultimate objective is get their vote to win the election last. Apart to this majority of people in the country has limited knowledge about the world. So then compare only era of country but we also has to compare within other countries to take the real picture.

    bendunk Monday, 07 May 2018 11:08 AM

    in a democratic country you can actually build any place of worship anywhere(as long as it is within the laws) people who oppose that are actual racists. It's funny how some ethnicity are given tremendous leeway for the sake of reconciliation.

    Tony Montana Monday, 07 May 2018 12:05 PM

    Why do they need avery corner a Temple.Only thing these politiciane wants to create more tension in the country.More temple means more racist monks.

    Nagalingam Monday, 07 May 2018 01:08 PM

    Many Tamils are interested in learning Buddhism because it has close connection with science. Very soon Tamils educated Tamil youth will build Buddhist temples in the North and East. It is only a matter of time.

    bganendra Monday, 07 May 2018 03:02 PM

    How many singhala people live in N

    VJ Monday, 07 May 2018 03:45 PM

    Build or renovate schools with this money and effort. When our children receive good education, they will think and act wisely.

    SENA Monday, 07 May 2018 03:53 PM

    Construction on ANY new places of worship must be banned.


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