The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, speaking on this Ministry, I must address the Trincomalee incident raised yesterday. I have never spoken here as a nationalist. Since 1994, we have worked for devolution of power to Tamil people. Therefore, I have never supported extremist views of Tamil, Muslim or Sinhala communities.

¶ 02 On this process: the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara has existed since 1951. The first Dhamma school and Upasampada Vinaya Karma were conducted there in 1987 by the Chief Incumbent from Balapitiya. Some are unaware that the IPKF took over the temple and land in 1987 during the Indo–Lanka Accord period. The monks then moved about 500 metres away near Fort Frederick to a 400m archaeological site and lived in a temporary shed as they could not function at the original site.

¶ 03 On 28 December 2003, the Dhamma school was registered with the Department of Buddhist Affairs. In 2004, the tsunami destroyed it, leaving only the foundation. On 20 June 2014, President Mahinda Rajapaksa granted an allocation of 0.1012 hectares bounded by the sea to the north, south and east, and by the Pedduru Kottuwa (road) to the west. This temple was founded in 1951. I now table the documents:

¶ 04 - The certificate of registration of the Vihara by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. - The grant/approval given during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s time. - The Dhamma school registration dated 28 December 2003.

¶ 05 In 2016, a protective fence was built; I table the approval by the Director-General of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (CC&CRM).

¶ 06 Regarding the stall: permission was sought to build a small sales hut to generate income for temple welfare to construct a Dharmashala. The Urban Development Authority’s L.J. Liyanage wrote that consent could be granted subject to recommendations of agencies, including CC&CRM. Under the Coast Conservation Act No. 57 of 1981, approval was for a “temporary hut – 127 square feet,” signed by Eng. R.A.S. Ranawaka, DG, CC&CRM (10 July 2023). The Central Environmental Authority noted no separate environmental licence was required; only CC&CRM approval applied (signed by A.G.D.L. Karunaratne, Director, Eastern Province). The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) stated “we have no objection,” signed by A.R.H. Mohideen, Acting District Marine Environment Officer. The Department of Buddhist Affairs recommended approval for the sales hut (signed by K.D.S.K. Kuruppu, Commissioner, Viharadevalagam). The Trincomalee Urban Council said the authority lies with the UDA and directed to liaise with UDA. The Road Development Authority’s Executive Engineer stated no objection if beyond 15 metres from the road.

¶ 07 Based on all this, the hut was built and operations proceeded. After this Government came in, on 16 October 2025, the Environment Ministry Secretary K.R. Uduwawala wrote ordering removal within seven days as an unauthorized structure; I table this. Prof. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara also wrote on 18 July 2025—after this Government took office—citing breach of Condition No. 3, ordering removal; I table this. Then the DG, CC&CRM again ordered removal within seven days; I table this. Our monk has filed a writ application—No. 1099/2025—with the case listed for the 19th. So please do not speak without knowledge, Hon. State Minister; there is a case.

¶ 08 On the Dhamma school construction: last Sunday morning, the foundation stone was laid. Police repeatedly said a complaint would be lodged and asked to stop. Hon. President, you know: construction is not stopped merely because a complaint may be lodged. If a complaint arrives, it should be examined and parties informed. Here, the Police kept obstructing, and finally intervened by cutting the barbed-wire fence. I do not believe this is a fault of the Government. I think, under pressure from Tamil MPs, the Minister gave directions. Why? Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam posted on Facebook thanking Minister Ananda Wijepala for intervening after the statue was removed and hoping the illegal construction would also be removed. Later, he posted “a major U-turn by the Public Security Minister” saying now the illegal temple would get Police protection. Former MP Sumanthiran also strongly criticized the Government in a post. Then it seems, based on MPs’ suggestions, Police acted—seizing the Buddha statue, taking it away, and assaulting monks. They even broke an umbrella box and hit the monk. I have the video footage and can send it to you, Hon. President. Later the Minister said there was a problem, and—