Maha Bodhi Centre, Chennai attack:

Lanka expresses concern

An unidentified group consisting of 10-15 persons carried out an attack on the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Centre in Egmore, Chennai around 9 pm on January 24, 2011.

During this incident, three Buddhist monks, namely, the Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University Ven. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Nayaka Thera, Ven. Samitha Thera of the Maha Bodhi Centre in Chennai and Ven. Nepalaye Maithree Thera, a Nepal national residing at the Maha Bodhi Centre at that time, sustained minor injuries, while the property of the Centre was also damaged.

The injured were immediately rushed to the Mercury Hospital in Egmore where they were treated and subsequently discharged.

The relevant Tamil Nadu State Government authorities were immediately contacted and were requested to take necessary action to ensure security to the Maha Bodhi Centre and other Sri Lankan institutions and establishments in Chennai.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in New Delhi, Prasad Kariyawasam has left for Chennai following this incident and is due to meet with the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and other senior officials of the Tamil Nadu State Government with Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, V. Krishnamoorthy, to express concern over the incident and seek their assistance to ensure the safety and welfare of the Maha Bodhi Centre and other Sri Lankan institutions and establishments in the State of Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai. The External Affairs Ministry has also taken this matter up with the Indian Government through the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

The Indian High Commission has assured the External Affairs Ministry that a full investigation would be carried out into this incident and had informed that two suspects have already been taken into custody in this connection.

The High Commission also assured the Ministry that necessary action would be taken to ensure the safety and welfare the Maha Bodhi Centre and other Sri Lankan institutions and establishments in the State of Tamil Nadu.