Description

Kurunthamalai is an archaeological site claimed by both Hindu and Buddhist communities, as
archaeological remains belonging to both religions have been found at the site. Buddhist
monks had started constructing a Buddhist temple at the site around 2020 with the support of
the archaeology department, military and the state. However, the new constructions were
suspended by the Mullaitivu magistrate court in July 2022 as Tamil communities in the area
opposed these constructions. On 15th of August, the Police requested an injunction order
against the Tamil worshippers who planned to hold a ‘Pongal’ worship event on 18th of August,
at the Athi Ayyanar Hindu temple located at the Kurunthamalai archeological site. Court denied
the request of the Police, and informed that the locals of the area have the right to conduct
religious rituals without causing any damage to the archaeological monuments present.
However, the Sinhala nationalist groups campaigned, and gathered people in the surrounding
Sinhala villages through social media and posters, transported them to the Kurunthamalai site
planning to disrupt the Hindu religious event held on 18th of August, at the Athi Ayyanar
temple.Both communities engaged in religious rituals in different places in the site,
paying respect and conducting religious rituals. While Tamil devotees did not disrupt the
Buddhist rituals, a Sinhalese group attempted to disrupt the Hindu rituals.