TNA MP protests Ministry order to remove two Hindu temples

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 November 2004, 14:04 GMT]
"Destruction of Hindu shrines in areas where thousands of Hindus reside and construction of Buddhist shrines on State lands where there are hardly any Buddhists are blatant discriminatory acts and indicate State's willingness to condone acts committed in the name of Buddhism," said Mr.R.Sampanthan, Tamil National Alliance parliamentary group leader and member of parliament for the Trincomalee district in a letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The Coastal Conservation Department, which comes under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, has directed the managements of two Hindu temples in Orr's Hills area in the Trincomalee town to remove those temples, as they are located in the coastal area, under Section 31 (2) of the Coastal Conservation Act of 57 of 1981.

The two Hindu Temples are Sri Vishvaroopa Hanuman Temple and Soundra Sri Vishnu Temple.

The Minister in charge of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is a member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) a major constituent of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

Mr.R.Sampanthan has sent a protest letter to Ministry Secretary to withdraw his directives, which would provoke unrest amongst the people, and promote religious and communal disharmony.

"Many Buddhist shrines have been constructed in recent times on State lands in several prominent parts of Trincomalee district. Shrines have even been constructed in areas where Buddhist civilians hardly reside. No action has been taken for the removal of any such Buddhist shrine. Taking action in regard to the removal of two Hindu temples would deeply offend the feeling of Hindus in the area. The Vishnu Temple has been in existence for a long time and would not come under the purview of the Coast Conservation Act, " said R.Sampanthan.