The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security drew attention to the concerns regarding the Tissa Raja Maha Vihara land in Kankasantura which is an ancient temple in the Jaffna peninsula.
That was when the stated at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security which met in Parliament on the 05.03.2024 under the Chairmanship of Member of Parliament Hon. (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera.
The Tissa Raja Maha Viharaya is a temple of ancient historical value and legends say that this temple was built by the order of King Devanampiyatissa which was considered the Gimanhala when Sanghamitta Theraniya visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya. It is also a significant as the first Tamil Dhamma school was established in this temple.
However, on almost every full moon poya day, Tamil politicians who come to the Tissa Raja Maha Vihara with their group and have become an obstruction to the pilgrimage. The Chair further stated that although it was a small group in the beginning, it has become about groups amounting to approximately forty. He said that the continuation of this is a threat to national security.
This discussion disclosed that there are different ideologies among different parties regarding the land where the Tissa Raja Maha Vihara is located. Divisional Secretariat – valikamam north stated that there are 13 private land owners (with proof) in the land where the temple is located. As mentioned by army officials, the temple has a large land area of many acres and the facts about this temple are also mentioned in old books, maps and other sources.
Further, the army stated that there are no private landowners’ lands within this land belonging to the temple, however, such lands may exist within the land boundary. Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan held a contradictory idea to the stated. Accordingly, he mentioned that there are lands of 16 private land owners in the land where the Tissa Vihara is located.
If there is private land within this temple, the concerned officials were informed by the Committee to give other lands nearby to such land owners and if there are private lands belonging to the boundary of the land, to release them.
Members of Parliament Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Hon. (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, Hon. Charles Nirmalanathan, Hon. (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Hon. Nimal Piyathissa, Hon. Jayantha Samaraweera, and Secretary Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Mr.Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Surveyor Mr. Udath Perera, Divisional Secretary – valikamam North and a group of officials representing relevant government institutions were present at this meeting held.
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