The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), joined by members of the public, initiated protests on January 24 demanding the removal of the Thissa Raja Vihara, an illegally constructed Buddhist structure encroaching upon the lands of the people in Kankesanthurai.
The ongoing protests, occurring every Poya (full moon) day, highlight the collective effort to address the contentious issue of the Thissa Raja Vihara, which is being built on privately owned land that is being occupied by the Sri Lankan army.
The Thissa Raja Vihara, constructed without legal authorization and accused of allegedly encroaching on privately owned property, has become a focal point of dissent. The protests aim to draw attention to the alleged illegality surrounding its construction, which began in at least 2022.
In particular, the demonstrators express their dissatisfaction with the continued religious activities taking place within the temple, even on the occasion of the full moon day.
The protest highlighted the issue of the unauthorized construction of Buddhist structures in the North-East, many of which have had military involvement, and the ongoing Sinhala Buddhist colonisation in Kankesanthurai. 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.
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