Trinco temple clash: ‘Don’t question clergy power’ – Gnanasara Thera

Trincomalee, November 18 (Daily Mirror) - Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera today issued a strong warning that the authority of the Buddhist clergy must not be challenged, following unrest in Trincomalee linked to the removal of a Buddha statue and an enforcement operation by the Coast Conservation Department.

During a visit to the area, Gnanasara Thera said Buddhism in Sri Lanka and globally has an uninterrupted history of more than 2,000 years, whereas governments serve only temporary five-year terms before being replaced.

He also said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should reflect on “whether Buddhist archaeology or the TNA came to this country first,” insisting that the role and involvement of the Buddhist Sangha cannot be challenged by any entity.

While addressing the incident, Thera accused the Police of provoking the unrest by removing a Buddha statue from a well-known temple, which he said triggered the chaos that engulfed Trincomalee on Sunday. The incident occurred during a Coast Conservation Department intervention concerning a building near the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara.

Protests erupted as monks and residents opposed the police action. Two monks, including Chief Incumbent Ven. Trincomalee Kalyanawamsathissa Thero, were reportedly hospitalised with injuries following the confrontation.

Gnanasara Thera highlighted that such incidents should not be repeated and asserted that the Police hold no authority to remove Buddha statues from any location in the country.