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Illegal Buddhist structure constructed in North East with military aid

Construction of illegal Buddhist structures continues in the northeast homeland with the assistance of the military. Thissa Raja Vihara, a Buddhist temple, is being built in Thaiyiddi Jaffna - what is privately owned land that is being occupied by the Sri Lankan army. 

During a coordinating committee meeting, the Vali-North Pradeshiya Sabha (the local elected authority) opposed the construction of the Buddhist structure and consequently did not give permission to continue with the Sinhalization-project. 

A litigation challenge is pending in court, challenging the legality of the construction. Nonetheless, Army Commander Shavendra Silva visited the construction site and laid the foundation stone for the Buddhist temple. 

Thirteen years after the Mullivaikkal Massacre, blocks of land of the Vilkamam North continue to be occupied by the Sri Lankan military under the pretext of such regions being High-Security Zones. The civilians living on such land are still awaiting the release of their land from the occupation of the Sri Lankan military. 

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