The Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect yesterday (28) said that it is the responsibility of the Government to take decisions which do not create unnecessary tensions between ethnic groups in its effort to protect archaeological sites in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

A proposal has reportedly been made by the Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Ministry to allocate three acres outside the Kurundi archaeological site for the purpose of building a Buddhist temple, a Hindu Kovil, and to make such available for public use. The proposal has been made by the Secretary to the Ministry during a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Religious Affairs and Coexistence.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday, Supreme Sangha Council – Asgiri Maha Viharaya Secretary Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera said that a decision has not been taken so far since the proposal was made very recently, but that it is the responsibility of the Government to make the most suitable decision in the end, which should not lead to tension between ethnic groups.

He added that the Kurundi Viharaya has already been identified as a Buddhist archaeological site even by the Archaeology Department and that therefore, the Government should pay special attention to that factor when making decisions in this regard. He noted that the most important thing is maintaining the coexistence between the different religious and ethnic groups and that therefore, the department should look into the issue very carefully and in a sensitive manner.

Speaking further, he said that both the Asgiri and Malwathu Chapters of the said sect have raised these concerns to the President and the Government on several occasions as the latter have the authority to take the best decision.

Several attempts to contact the Malwathu Viharaya proved futile.