Residents of Verugal, Trincomalee, protested against the Department of Archaeology's designation of an archaeological zone, fearing it could lead to Sinhalisation, land displacement, and further militarisation in the area
On January 6, 2025, Sri Lanka's Department of Archaeology installed a signboard in the Verugal-Vattavan area, designating the location as the "1 KM Vattavan Archaeological Zone."
This sudden declaration by the controversial department raised alarms within the local community, who fear it could pave the way for further Sinhala Buddhist colonisation in the area.
The Seruwila-Verugal area hosts at least seven military installations, including three navy camps, four army bases, and one Civil Security Department camp. There are no military camps in the Sinhala settlements, except for the Seruwila Civil Security Department camp in Somapura. As of February 2020, several military checkpoints were present along the A15 road, a key route through the region.
File photograph.
Protestors highlighted the ongoing issue of land displacement and the subsequent influx of Sinhala settlements, which they believe has been exacerbated by the establishment of archaeological sites.
The protest saw participation from residents of Verugal, civil society organizations, and human rights activists, all united in their call for justice and preservation of their cultural heritage.
The memorandum submitted to the Eastern Province Governor, and Members of Parliament representing the Trincomalee District, including the Divisional Secretary, outlines specific concerns regarding the conversion of cultural sites into Buddhist religious sites, such as the Kurunthur Malai Sivan Temple, Neeraviyadi Vinayagar Temple in Mullaitivu,Trincomalee Kanniya Hot Wells, Thiriyai, Kuchchaveli Karadimale Pillaiyar Temple, Sembimalai Temple, Muttur 64th Mile Post area, and the Verugal Kalladi Malai Neeliamman Temple premises in the Trincomalee District.
Their demands included:
1. The Gazette Notification related to this archaeological site should be made visible to the people in the area.
2. No permission should be granted for the construction of Buddha statues or Buddhist temples in the identified archaeological site and its surrounding areas.
3. Agricultural lands near the identified areas should not be seized by any government authority, either legally or illegally.
4.This issue should be discussed at the monthly meeting of the Verugal Divisional Development Committee, and a firm commitment should be given regarding our demands.
Read the full text of the letter submitted by Verugal Civil Society Organisations here.
