Protesters Rally to Safeguard Trincomalee Historic Buddha Statue

In a bid to preserve the historical significance of the Bodhi trees in the city of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, the site has been officially declared as an archaeological site by Gazette No. 1593 dated 13 March 2009. However, a recent attempt to construct a Buddha statue at the location was met with opposition from some of the local monks, leading to a postponement of the work.

In an unfortunate turn of events, a group of Dravidians from Jaffna attempted to take possession of the site by constructing unauthorized structures. Concerned about the potential destruction of this important heritage site, Arisimala Aranya Senasanadhita Pujaya Panamure Tilakawansa Nayaka Thero and the Maha Sangha quickly mobilized to remove the structures and prevent any further damage.

In a show of solidarity, a peaceful protest was held on May 14, 2023, with participants calling for the protection of the Buddha statue and the preservation of this historic site. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved, but it is clear that there are many people committed to ensuring that the Bodhi trees and their surroundings are respected and protected for generations to come.