Sri Lankan police have launched an investigation into a photograph circulating on social media that allegedly shows the highly revered Buddha tooth relic, currently on display at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy for the first time in over 15 years.
The display — the first since March 2009 — began earlier this month and is being held under tight security.
The photograph, which has been widely shared online, has prompted an investigation by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Authorities will determine whether the image was taken during the current exhibition or whether it has been digitally altered.
A police statement confirmed that detectives were investigating if a worshipper had violated temple regulations by photographing the relic.
“If someone took a photo inside the temple, it is a serious security lapse,” a police official told Agence France-Presse, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There is a significant presence of plain-clothed officers inside the temple,” he added, underscoring the strict surveillance measures in place.
During the public exhibition, all devotees entering the sacred area of the temple are thoroughly frisked. Bags, parcels, and mobile phones are strictly prohibited, and worshippers are subject to rigorous security screening to prevent any form of photography or recording.
The Temple of the Tooth, known as Sri Dalada Maligawa, holds immense religious and political significance for Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The sacred relic — believed by Sinhala Buddhists to be a tooth of the Buddha – has been protected by successive Sri Lankan governments who have given it extensive security over the decades.
The current 10-day public viewing, set to conclude on 27 April, has drawn massive crowds. Police reported that approximately 125,000 people visited the temple on the first day alone, despite the relic being on display for just two and a half hours. Since then, daily viewing hours have extended to five and a half hours to accommodate the surging number of devotees.
