Stay order on Prelate’s cremation at the temple premises

By Romesh Madushanka and Situm Chathuranga   

Mulaithivu Additional Magistrate N. Sudaharan yesterday issued an interim order staying the  cremation ceremony of the Nayaru Gurukanda Rajamaha Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Kolamba Medhalankarakitthi Thera at the temple premises.  

• Nayaru Gurukanda Rajamaha Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Kolamba Medhalankarakitthi Thera passed away on Friday

The members of the Dayaka Sabha and the resident monks were asked to attend Court this morning.    The interim order was given after the Mulaithivu police submitted a report to Court on a complaint lodged by the board of trustees of the Mulaithivu Nayaru Niravpuleyar Kovil and the Tamil residents of the area opposing the taking of the chief incumbent Thera’s body to the Temple considering the possible breach of the peace.   

The Court directed the police to take all measures to maintain peace in the temple and kovil premises.    Medhalankarakitthi Thera had passed away on Friday while being treated at the Colombo Apeksha Hospital   

Gurukanda Viharaya Dayaka Sabha Secretary Manel Karunaratna said the Court order was received yesterday after the Nayaka Thera’s body was brought to the temple and Dayaka Sabha had arranged to hold the cremation ceremony today at the Gurukanda temple premisses.   

Meanwhile, the police had strengthened security in the area.