The Chancellor of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thero, has addressed a letter to the President concerning the issue that arose over the installation of a Buddha statue at the Bodhirajaramaya in Trincomalee.
In the letter, the Mahanayake Thero expresses deep regret over the imprisonment of ten individuals, including Buddhist monks, in connection with the incident.
He states that the monks had installed a Buddha statue at the sacred site, which had been protected by former kings at the cost of their lives and dedicated to the Buddha Sasana. The letter emphasizes that the monks were subjected to attack solely because they went to install a Buddha statue, and not for committing any other offence.
The letter further notes that the Venerable Thero considers the actions taken in response to this incident—including alleged government intervention—as a deliberate and serious offence against the Buddha Sasana, arguing that such measures are unjustifiable in relation to an act of this nature.
Through the letter, the Mahanayake Thero has also urged the President to take immediate steps to secure the release of the ten monks and others who were detained.
The letter submitted to the President reads as follows:
