Govt cracks whip on desecrators of historical Buddhist heritage sites

Sandasen Marasinghe

The government will take stern measures to prevent acts of desecration in the vicinity of historical Buddhist heritage sites with legal action taken against the offenders irrespective of their positions or status, National Heritage Minister Dr. Jagath Balasooriya said.

He made this observation in a joint statement of the National Heritage Ministry and the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry at a press conference at the National Heritage Ministry Auditorium yesterday.

Senior Minister P. Dayaratne, National Heritage Minister Dr. Jagath Balasooriya and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M. K. A. D. S. Gunawardena at the press conference. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage

The minister said it was tragic to observe politicians holding carnivals and musical shows in the guise of organising Buddhist religious events in the immediate vicinity of archaeological conservation reservation lands for petty political gain.

Dr. Balasooriya added the government would take stern action against those who organised a carnival and musical show at a distance of less than 50 metres to the historic Deegawapi Chaithya where the relics of the Buddha is enshrined, on Poson Poya night.

He added that though banners were displayed within the archaeological conservation reservation land that to dig or light fires within the site was a punishable offence by law, the organisers violated all these regulations.

Senior Minister P. Dayaratne said he was also present when the organisers held a meeting to discuss about the Deegawapi Poson Zone but nothing was discussed about a carnival or a musical show but only about meritorious acts.

"However, it had been changed later without any permission," he said.

Minister Balasooriya said though there were misleading news items published about Parliamentarian Sarath Weerasekara, he had sent his officials along with Archaeological Department officials and Police officers to obtain information about the carnival site on the request of the Archaeological Department. Eastern Provincial Councillor W. D. Weerasinghe said Provincial Councillor Daya Gamage had organised the event.

He charged money from stalls owners for parking etc while organising the event at the Deegawapi Archaeological Conservation Reservation land.

Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M. K. A. D. S. Gunawardena, Senior Minister P Dayaratne, UPFA MP Sarath Weerasekara and Archaeological Department Commissioner General Dr. Senarath Dissanayake also spoke.