A protest was held on 12th April by landowners in Thaiyiddy, Valikamam North, against an illegally constructed Buddhist Tissa Vihara on lands belonging to Tamil residents.
The demonstration, organized to demand the removal of the unlawful Vihara erected on their private lands, also saw the participation of priests who had arrived from the southern region in solidarity. Notably, Father M. Sakthivel and others were present to extend their support alongside civil society leader Velan Swamigal. Also in attendance was MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.
Father M. Sakthivel and the accompanying clergy attempted to meet and hold discussions with the chief monk of the vihara. However, the monk refused to meet them.
The situation at Tissa Vihara reflects a deeper, more systematic trend unfolding across the Tamil homeland—a steady push toward Sinhalisation and Buddhist expansion.
This isn’t a one-off occurrence, but rather a continuation of state-backed efforts that have spanned multiple governments. With the military frequently playing a central role, Buddhist monuments are being established on historically Tamil lands, raising serious concerns about cultural erasure and territorial encroachment.
