The World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) has made an urgent request to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to convene an all-party meeting to discuss issues facing Buddhist centres in the East Province. Tension is growing in the area due to these issues not being resolved for sometime now, despite an earlier appeal by the WAPS.
This week a bhikku residing at Muhudu Maha Viharaya was hospitalised after thugs attacked him to chase him away from the viharaya. The assailants were intruders who attempted to encroach on the 30 acre-temple land, 25 of which squatters are already occupying forcibly and illegally. The attack on the monk was a result of an attempt to take over the balance five acres.
Following is the full text of the WAPS appeal to the President:
Your Excellency
We , at World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka addressed you a letter sometime ago requesting you to convene a meeting of Buddhist and Muslim leaders to discuss the issues facing Buddhist centers in the Eastern
Province as the issues involved will create an unenviable situation in the near future.
Ven Thero residing at Muhudu Maha Viharaya had been attacked yesterday by some intruders who had attempted to encroach the temple land. In fact , 25
acres out of 30 acres of Muhudu Maha Vehera are forcibly held by illegal settlers. Yesterday's attempt was to take over the balance 5 acres too.
Ven Thero had been assaulted and is warded at Monaragala Hospital for medical treatment.
We request you and all the party leaders to convene a meeting of all concerned groups and arrive at an acceptable solution re the rights of the
Buddhists in Muhudu Maha Viahraya, Deegavapi et in the Eastern Province as the the present events if continued to develop will only result in a major disaster.
We trust that the fact that a Buddhist monk had been assaulted in a land grab attempt by an interested group will receive your urgent attention .
Thanking you
Ranjith Soysa
SPOKESPERSON-WAPS
This week a bhikku residing at Muhudu Maha Viharaya was hospitalised after thugs attacked him to chase him away from the viharaya. The assailants were intruders who attempted to encroach on the 30 acre-temple land, 25 of which squatters are already occupying forcibly and illegally. The attack on the monk was a result of an attempt to take over the balance five acres.
Following is the full text of the WAPS appeal to the President:
Your Excellency
We , at World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka addressed you a letter sometime ago requesting you to convene a meeting of Buddhist and Muslim leaders to discuss the issues facing Buddhist centers in the Eastern
Province as the issues involved will create an unenviable situation in the near future.
Ven Thero residing at Muhudu Maha Viharaya had been attacked yesterday by some intruders who had attempted to encroach the temple land. In fact , 25
acres out of 30 acres of Muhudu Maha Vehera are forcibly held by illegal settlers. Yesterday's attempt was to take over the balance 5 acres too.
Ven Thero had been assaulted and is warded at Monaragala Hospital for medical treatment.
We request you and all the party leaders to convene a meeting of all concerned groups and arrive at an acceptable solution re the rights of the
Buddhists in Muhudu Maha Viahraya, Deegavapi et in the Eastern Province as the the present events if continued to develop will only result in a major disaster.
We trust that the fact that a Buddhist monk had been assaulted in a land grab attempt by an interested group will receive your urgent attention .
Thanking you
Ranjith Soysa
SPOKESPERSON-WAPS
