‘Aranthalawa monument could be a symbol of amity’

Dharma Sri Abeyratne in Aranthalawa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the Aranthalawa monument which has been erected at the exact place where, the horrendous massacre of members of the Sangha took place could pave the way for ethnic harmony and help build bridges between different communities .

The President said so while participating in the opening ceremony of Aranthalawa Sri Indrasara International Buddhist Centre.

The Buddhist Centre has also been constructed at the exact place where the massacre took place.

The President unveiled the special monument setup in Aranthalawa where 31 Buddhist Bikkhus were brutally killed by the LTTE 26 years ago. Chief incumbent Ven. Hedoga Indasara Thera and a group of Buddhist monks fell victim to this act of barbarism of the LTTE while they were travelling in a bus belonging to Ampara depot.

To commemorate this incident an international Buddhist centre will be established at the assassination site named after the Ven. Hedoga Indasara thera.

The President added that the monument has not been constructed to create hatred among ethnic groups. It will help to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between all Sri Lankans understanding and realizing the futility of conflict.

All countrymen are duty bound to take steps to prevent conflicts of this nature . Accordingly, everyone has to join hands to promote ethnic harmony. Eventhough the monument signifies the gravest atrocity committed against members of the Sangha, it paves the way for fostering amity and brotherhood among communities, the President added. The President said that terrorism which brought much disaster to the country was eradicated due to the sacrifice of the brave soldiers.

With the dawn of peace, the areas which bore the brunt of terrorism such as Aranthalawa are being gradually developed paralell to the national development drive of the government.The Aranthalawa Massacre took place on June 2, 1987, when a bus carrying Buddhist monks and a few unarmed civilians were ambushed by 20 armed LTTE cadres near the village of Nuweratheanne, in Aranthalawa. They then ordered the driver of the bus, which was carrying the monks on a pilgrimage from their temple in Mahavapi to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, to drive into the nearby Aranthalawa jungle.

After the bus stopped, the LTTE cadres went on a rampage, attacking the monks with guns and swords and also shooting some of them with machine guns.

Among the dead were 31 young novice monks and their mentor, the Chief Incumbent of the Vidyananda Maha Pirivena, Hegoda Sri Indrasara Thera. Four civilians, who were traveling in the bus were also among the dead.

Three monks, who escaped the massacre sustaining critical injuries are still receiving medical treatment. Another monk was permanently disabled.