Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, says that if any wrongdoing occurred on the part of the police during the removal of a Buddha statue placed on temple land in Trincomalee, an investigation will be conducted and necessary action will be taken.
Speaking at the Cabinet media briefing held today (18), the Minister noted that when questioning an incident separated from its full sequence of events, a distorted understanding of the event can arise.
He said:
“New problems are not needed… Causing damage to a Buddha statue can lead to massive bloodshed in this country… Don’t create opportunities for that… Don’t pour petrol and ignite it.”
Meanwhile, the Minister also stated that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has initiated an investigation into the alleged assault on monks by police officers during the incident.
Further commenting, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said:
“The police are there to protect the law and maintain peace. Under no circumstances will the police allow the law of the country to be violated or peace to be disturbed based on any incident. A short-term permit had been issued to temporarily construct a food stall with certain conditions. There is an order to remove that structure. It is during this time that the Buddha statue was placed there.
Our country has a history of how long ethnic unrest can continue after damage is caused to a Buddha statue. Therefore, the police acted to maintain peace in the area and to ensure the safety of the Buddha statue.
The next court date is November 26 at the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court. According to the facts reported by the police, the Magistrate has ordered that all evidence be recorded, that the authenticity of documents submitted by any party be verified, and that no new construction be carried out until 26.11.2025. Police and the Special Task Force have been deployed to maintain peace in the area. An investigation has also been initiated by the IGP regarding the assault on the monks.
The government will not allow anyone to use this incident to open up their dream political pathway. No one will be given the chance to exploit this and build their political journey—gathering crowds, organizing meetings, and arranging buses. As a country, we have faced enough events that started like this and escalated into serious bloodshed. That is why the police removed the Buddha statue. The statue has now been re-installed at the same location. The government is awaiting the court’s decisions on November 26.”
A tense situation arose on the night of the 16th after the police took steps to remove a Buddha statue that had been placed on temple land in Trincomalee.
However, yesterday (17) afternoon, the police themselves re-installed the statue at its original location.
Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, stated in Parliament that the police acted to ensure the protection of the statue after receiving information that it was at risk of being damaged.
The Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya located on Trincomalee Fort Road is a registered Buddhist temple under the Department of Buddhist Affairs since 1951.
Its Dhamma school, the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiwardhana Daham Pasala, had been destroyed during the tsunami disaster. The Chief Incumbent, Ven. Trincomalee Kalyanawansathissa Thero, along with the devotees, had decided to recommence activities there.
On the morning of the 16th, the foundation stone for the reconstruction was laid, and by the afternoon, a Buddha statue had been placed at the site.
However, the Coastal Conservation Department had reported to the police that the construction was unauthorized, and the police had informed the monks accordingly.
In this context, the police removed the statue on the night of the 16th.
This happened amid strong opposition from the monks and residents.
The Chief Incumbent and another monk were later hospitalized, stating that they had been injured during the incident.
Meanwhile, when National People’s Power (NPP/JJB) MP Roshan Akmeemana visited the location yesterday, he faced protests from the people present there.
