'Threat to heritage': Buddhist monks protest in Sri Lanka against religious site redevelopment - The Times of India

A group of Buddhist monks has launched a sit-in protest in Sri Lanka's sacred city of Anuradhapura, demanding the withdrawal of a government gazette outlining a redevelopment plan for the historic Buddhist pilgrimage centre.The protest, led by Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, began on Friday against the Anuradhapura Sacred Area Development Plan, notified by the National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) on February 27, 2026.The gazette proposes expanding the designated sacred area from approximately 28 to 38 square kilometres, alongside improvements to infrastructure, pilgrim facilities and archaeological conservation. The project is estimated to require an investment of up to Sri Lankan Rupees 8.8 billion.Tensions escalated on Saturday when protesters clashed with police over the construction of an elevated structure. Following a report submitted by police, the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court ordered the protesters to vacate the sacred areas surrounding Ruwanweli Maha Seya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and remove their temporary tents. The court also prohibited any damage to protected archaeological monuments.However, the monks and laypeople defied the order and remained at the site overnight.Kassapa accused police of manhandling him and vowed to continue the agitation."We will not leave until the gazette is abolished," he said, adding that the monks would approach the court on Monday seeking the lifting of its order.The protest comes amid concerns among sections of the Buddhist community over the possible construction of other religious places of worship within the expanded sacred area, restrictions on religious activities and proposed fencing around Ruwanweli Maha Seya.An Anuradhapura resident told the Sunday Times that a signboard identifying a site as a 'Kali Kovil' had recently appeared within the Atamasthana area, about 600 metres from Thuparamaya towards Lankaramaya. The resident also expressed concern that another place of worship could eventually become a 'Rama Kovil'.However, NPPD director general Ruchira Vithana rejected the allegations, saying the gazette neither proposed new religious structures nor restricted devotees from visiting sacred sites. He said archaeological evidence pointed to the ruins of a 10th-century Kali Kovil, but there was no evidence of a Rama Kovil or other newly constructed religious buildings. He added that the Archaeology Ordinance prohibited such construction.On the proposed fencing, Vithana said a protective barrier had been built about 500 metres from Ruwanweli Maha Seya to safeguard the archaeological site and keep stray animals out. An environmentally friendly bio-fence using plants and trees is also planned.The government has maintained that the project is intended to conserve and enhance the historic city rather than alter its religious character.NPPD director general Vithana said the proposed plan had been presented to the former Atamasthanadhipathi, Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, before the gazette was published and that his approval had been obtained.According to the Sunday Times, the development programme was prepared jointly by the chief incumbent of the Atamasthana, members of the Maha Sangha, the Anuradhapura district administration, the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the Department of Physical Planning, the Department of Archaeology and the Central Cultural Fund.The Anuradhapura Urban Development Plan for 2021-2030 had also been prepared as part of the initiative. The project gained further momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed willingness to support its development during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2025.UDA director general Damith Dissanayake said the Sri Lankan president had established a 32-member advisory council on October 30 to oversee the conservation and development of the sacred area. The UDA and NPPD had also jointly submitted a draft development proposal to the Indian High Commission, while 45 projects had been sent to the Department of National Planning for approval.The plan has drawn mixed reactions from Buddhist clergy. Most Venerable Pallewewa Dharmakeerthi Thera welcomed the expansion of the protected area and the proposed infrastructure improvements, but said development should be undertaken with the approval of the chief incumbent of the Atamasthana. He also questioned the need for a protective fence around Ruwanweli Maha Seya, saying an elephant barrier was already in place.On India's involvement, Dharmakeerthi said the historical and religious relationship between the two countries dated back to the periods of Emperor Ashoka and King Devanampiyatissa. However, he stressed that foreign involvement should not undermine Buddhist devotees' religious beliefs and practices.Other monks have expressed greater reservations and warned that the project should not result in damage to Sri Lanka's cultural and Buddhist heritage.Anuradhapura, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, has been a centre of Buddhist worship for more than 2,200 years. It is home to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweli Maha Seya, Thuparamaya, Abhayagiriya, Jetavanaramaya, Mirisawetiya, Lankaramaya and Lovamahapaya, collectively known as the Atamasthana, along with other important religious landmarks.Get the latest India News and Live updates. 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