Dambulla Kovil Attacked; Hindu Politico Says Mosques And Kovils Must Not Be Shifted

TOctober 24, 2013 

Hindu politicians have issued an urgent appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksa asking him to act immediately to stop an old kovil in Dambulla from being shifted, after the temple was partially dismantled by a group recently.

Bhadrakali Mata Statue /File photo

Dr.N Kumar Guruparan, Western Provincial Councillor and Deputy Leader of the Democratic Peoples’ Front and Spokesman for the Hindu Front said the President needed to take steps to safeguard the Badhrakaali Amman Kovil and the Moor Mosque in Dambulla where violent protests erupted last year when hardline Buddhist groups insisted the mosque and kovil were encroaching on sacred ground near the Dambulla Golden Temple.

Guruparan said on October 21, in the early hours of the morning, the temple trustees had invaded the temple premises and removed its roofing. A month ago, he said, the statue of the deity Badhrakaali had been smashed and thrown into a well. “There is a group of Buddhist fundamentalists eager to change the history of tamils and Hindus’ and Muslims’ in Dambulla demolishing the temple and Mosque in prominent palace.This issue and deliberate attack on Badrakaali amman temple  is still continuing, the deity’s statue was smashed and thrown in to the well not even a month back. Guruparan said the trident in the premises had been used to remove the roofing.

“As we know  Hon Parliamentarian R. Yogarajan with the assistance of Hindu Businesman donated a new statue, handed over at the temple. Mr. Yogarajan  also had discussions with the UDA and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to obtain a more spacious land in another location in Dambulla to rebuild this temple. I also held discussions with UDA officials  to stop shifting the residences and the Temple.