Deeghawapi, the consecrated land of some 12,000 acres, has been
subjected to progressive encroachments by Muslims for many years.
Right now they have demarcated a further portion of that land for the
purpose of constructing 500 houses, funded by the Saudi Arabian
government exclusively for Muslims.The picture shows the boundary
fence erected by them and their guard room
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(English Translation of Letter Sent By Ven.Senapathiye Ananda Thero)
He is holding the positions of : Niyojya Lekhadhikari, in charge of
Religious and Cultural Affairs- Wewgampattuwa Uhana North Sasanarakshake
Balamandalaya; Niyojya Lekhadhikari Digamadulla Sangha Sabhawe and
Sabhapathi, North and East Sinhala Organisation(NESO)
"The Digamadulla Heritage That Is Being Taken Away From Us Daily"
With the intention of keeping Buddhists living both here and abroad
informed of the vandalism and damage to Deeghavapi Sacred area through a
long period of time which is considered to be the crowning glory of
Digamadulla region, we have decided to write a little background
information on the situation prevailing. We are stating these facts, not
only as mere information but with the express wish that through this
awareness, you will rally with us to find a lasting solution.
This destruction that is being carried out through the conspiracies of
the Muslim leadership, irrespective of racial or religious differences
is destroying our Sri Lankan heritage and history and we have on
numerous occasions reported these matters to those in high positions and
responsibility but so far, they have all fallen on deaf ears and no
concrete action has been taken to remedy the situation. We wish to
inform you that the destruction activities are continuing even at the
time of writing this- we list below in brief, the situation for you to
understand it in the correct perspective.
Deeghavapi Sacred City
We have long since been respecting Deeghavapi as a Sacred Site enriched
by the visit of The Lord Buddha. The land area covered by Deeghavapi
area is 12,000 acres of land and this is an extremely well known fact.
However, it is sad to inform that this land area has now been reduced to
a mere 585 acres and has been demarcated in this manner. Historically,
even though 35 sites within this area has been identified as important
archeological locations, what is included in the reduced land area
demarcated is only 5 such sites. The other 30 sites are all located
outside the above mentioned reduced area and by now all those areas have
been encroached by Muslim settlers and are becoming their lands.
Pallekadu (Vihara Kale* ( as in jungle) is by now heavily
encroached and near to total destruction. The area known as the
"hospital vicinity" has been aggressively bulldozed over and a village
named " Ashwer City" has been established and Muslims settled within it.
60 acres of land which was formerly set aside for Sugar Cane plantations
in the precincts of Deeghavapi has been demarcated now to construct 500
houses to convert it into luxurious "An Arab Village" in the style of a
millennium city equipped with a bus stand, hospital, children's
playground etc is already under construction. At the commencement of
this project due to the fact that we carried out a massive protest
campaign, the work was postponed for a couple of months. Now, it has
been re-activated and work is proceeding.
Ven. Ellawela Medhananda Thero was briefed on this situation and he even
took up the subject for discussion in the Parliament but to no avail.
The fact that the Sacred Area was being bulldozed was notified to Mr.
Champika Ranawake by us. All these efforts of ours have turned out to be
"Gangate Ini Kapuwa Wage"( similar "to pouring water on a duck's back")
To brief the Presidential Secretariat staff on this situation, I took
representatives from Deeghavapi and visited Colombo and briefed a number
of Secretaries of the Presidential Secretariat and held discussions
together with Ven. Gatemanne Gunananda Thero also. At this meeting, we
were informed that arrangements will be made to facilitate a meeting
with the President. However, that day has not dawned as yet and we are
still waiting.
With All These Adverse Conditions, The Leadership of Responsible
Politicians in The Area:
Digamadulla has been identified as an district comprising of Sinhala,
Tamil and Muslim villagers. However, due to the shortsighted petty
political agendas of most of the Muslim politicians of the area, we wish
to inform, that it will be inevitable that a serious ethnic conflict and
uprising will take place in the not so distant future due to activities
of other extremist politicians.
Taking the voter count into consideration, without objection we accept
the fact that Muslim vote count is slightly more in the area. Sinhala
vote count stands at 153,000 while the Muslim vote count stands at 158,000.
What is extremely strange is the fact that, for the above voter
percentage in the area while 07 Muslim MP get selected, for the
Sinhalese only 02 MPs are appointed. As the 02 Sinhala MPs, we have
former UNP member who is now Minister of Planning & Implementation Mr.
P.Dayaratne and JVP MP Mr. Wasantha Piyatissa. These 02 MPs who are
elected to represent the entire Sinhala vote bank in the area, opt to
remain absolutely silent on issues faced by and pertaining to the
Sinhalese. To this day, they have not come forward to safeguard the
Sinhalese interests nor have they made any statements or comments
regarding the discrimination done to the Sinhalese in the area or the
systematic destructions that are taking place. There is not a single
person to whom these issues can be related to, or who is willing to listen.
In the presence of the Muslim political leadership, we feel that the
present Government seems afraid to express their views or take necessary
action. We feel that the GOSL is keener to maintain silence and a
non-committal attitude regarding the stark discrimination against the
Sinhalese and not concerned about being alert to these problems either.
They even went to the extent of offering 02 more MP positions taken from
the National List to Muslims who already have 07 MP positions of
representation in the area! Recently at a meeting held in Akkaraipattu
where Presidential Advisor Mr. Basil Rajapakse was present, Segu
Issadeen and Anwer Ismail made scathing and dangerous statements more or
less like a warning to the Sinhalese of the area. This was to state that
the capital of our district (which is Ampara at present), will be
moved to Akkaraipattu.
What Are We Expected to Do Under These Circumstances?
In order to stall this massive onslaught and discrimination against
Deeghavapi as a base, it is imperative that we work on the following
measures:
1. To get an Injunction Order to stop further settlements and further
destruction of Deeghavapi Sacred Area;
2. To brief all Maha Nayake Theros of the 4 Nikayas of the massive
discrimination against Sinhala Buddhists as well as all Buddhist
Organisations around the country;
3. To carry out a nation wide poster and awareness pamphlet campaign
to inform Sinhala Buddhist public about the destructive conspiracy
of Muslims;
4. To put pressure on the GOSL on their non-committal silence on
threats faced By Buddhists;
It is important here, to inform that the Sinhala public is more powerful
than the 7 Muslim MP that is currently prevalent. To carry on a campaign
to keep the GOSL informed, that if they do not take the necessary
corrective measures to stop this Muslim invasion, that the majority
people of this country will reject them politically.
5. To sign a petition letter by the Buddhist public and hand over to
the GOSL regarding their political degeneration and our public
displeasure;
6. To construct and establish a Buddhist Settlement Village in the
precincts of Deeghavapi Sacred Area and bring about a Buddhist
environment in the area;
For the economic stability of the Buddhist residents, to immediately
take steps to introduce an economic investment programme whereby,
Buddhists will be ensured of economic stability.
In order to carry forward the above mentioned course of action in a
straightforward and correct path, we seek the support of all Sinhala
Buddhist public to even meet the basic financial needs required. Your
support will be of immense strength and blessing to us in our endeavours.
Those of us who have been committed and engaged in this massive effort
for quite some time are now facing severe hardships and have been
compelled to stall our activities due to such difficulties.
North and East Sinhala Organisation
Abhayagiri Viharaya
Galahitiyawa
Uhana
