Protest march in Jaffna against Kantharodai Buddhist Vihare construction

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 February 2003, 15:03 GMT]
The Confederation of Valikamam South Public Organizations Wednesday conducted a protest march condemning the construction of a Buddhist Vihare at Kantharodai in Jaffna district by the Sri Lanka Army. The protest march, which commenced Wednesday morning from Kantharodai, arrived at Uduvil Divisional Secretariat around afternoon, sources said.

Hundreds of people participated in the march with slogans condemning the Buddhist dominated Sri Lanka Army engaged in constructing Buddhist Vihares in the Tamil dominated northeast province wherever they have camped, thus paving way for the distortion of the Tamils' history, sources said.

Later, a public meeting was held at the Uduvil Divisional Secretariat premises presided by the President of the CVSPO Mr.T.Kumaravelu. President of the Confederation of the Jaffna District Peoples' Organization Mr. S.Cyril spoke.

At the conclusion of the meeting a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was handed over to the Uduvil Divisional Secretary, sources said.

"The construction of the new Buddhist Vihare at Kantharodai under the supervision of the Sri Lanka Army is a violation of human rights. We are not against Buddhism nor we are against the Sinhalese. Today, at places where there are army camps and wherever Bo trees are coming up the statues of Lord Buddha are placed. If such activities continue Tamils would be forced to cast doubts on the government's intentions and it's commitment to the peace process. Hence we appeal to you to take immediate steps to cease such hostile activities", said the memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister.

Kantharodai is located near Chunnakam west of the main Jaffna - Kankasanture road.