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President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appoint a committee to determine whether Kurundi Vihara of Mullathivu and Thiriyaya Vihara of Trincomalee historically owned 2,000 and 3,000 acres of land respectively, sources close to President’s office said.
The President intends to find out how these two Viharas could own land more than Mahavihara which has been historically considered as the foremost centre of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
President Wickremesinghe is of the opinion that it is essential to find out why the two Viharas need land which come under the Department of Forestry, Department of Lands etc.
It is reported that the Task Force on Archaeological Affairs appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had recommended the release of land to Kurundi Vihara and Thiriyaya Vihara.
The committee which is to be appointed will be tasked with finding out historical evidence with regard to land owned by the Kurundi and Thiriyaya Viharas.
The President is expected to appoint the committee before departing to Europe on June 17. (Yohan Perera)
