Mess up regarding Ven. Gurukanda Viharadhipathi cremated in vihara premises instead of coastal belt ... disregarding court orders

Mess up regarding Ven. Gurukanda Viharadhipathi cremated in vihara premises instead of coastal belt ... disregarding court orders

Gurukanda Raja Maha Viharadhipathi thero of Colombo, Medhalankarakiththi Nahimi who passed away was finally cremated yesterday (23) at vihara premises itself disregarding the verdict given by Mullaitivu magistrate to conduct the cremation ceremony outside vihara premises in the coastal belt where the army camp is situated. 

In the process, in the verdict given by Mullaituvu chief magistrate, Mr. S. Lenin Kumar on a

complaint made by the administration council of Nirawi Pillayar Kovil saying that it would be a dishonour as there was a kovil there ordering that the cremation ceremony be held outside the vihara premises in the coastal sea belt. The sangha and Buddhist public who were agitated after this verdict rocked round the temple and had demanded that final rites of the nahimi be performed at vihara premises.

Accordingly, general secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara with several other members of the clergy have carried out the cremation of the viharadhipathi thero in vihara premises according to the decision of the sangha sabhava. 

In the meantime, Tamil political activists have launched a protest in front of the vihara against the cremation ceremony being performed at vihara premises, thus resulting in a strong outburst. In that instance police and anti-riot squad have swiftly around on the scene bringing water canon bowsers and thus brought the situation under control at a time when a crowd of Tamil supporters had tried to go ahead without respecting the opinion of the sangha. A large crowd of police teams were observed at the cremation ceremony to strengthen security at the place concerned. After religious services came to a close, the pyre of the body of viharadhipathi of Gurukanda Purana Raja Maha vihara, ven. Colomba Medhalankarakiththi thero was lit. 

On the occasion when the case pertaining to the cremation was taken up in Mullaitivu magistrate court, Tamil attorneys at law at Mullaitivu courts were seen on one side while only four attorneys were seen on behalf of the vihara party. Tamil attorneys who expressed opposition against attorneys expressing ideas in Sinhala said at that moment that since the state language of north - east was Tamil language to refrain from expressing their ideas in Sinhala. What attorneys who appeared on behalf of the vihara party responded saying that the common law for everybody in Sri Lanka is the state constitution, everyone is bound by provisions as laid down by the constitution. The argument of attorneys who appeared on behalf of the kovil party was that according to the act of provincial council burial grounds act, without their approval the body should not be cremated. 

When hearing in court commenced in the morning at 9.00, lawyers on both sides expressed their contentions for a period of about an hour in the first session. The magistrate after giving an interval of 15 minutes and after attorneys various ideas were expressed until 12.30 in the afternoon. After attorneys exchanged their ideas, on agreement of both parties the magistrate then ordered that final rites regarding the body be carried out beyond the coastal limits away from Mullativu Nayaru Gurukanda Raja Maha Vihara. Finally however, Mullaitivu magistrate court lawyers then moved out by expressing opposition against court order for the body to be cremated at vihara premises. 

Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara nahimi who joined in the cremation ceremony said that the crowd who safeguarded Buddhist heritage for a period of 2500 years should take action to continue safeguarding the Buddhist heritage for another 2500 years and to do so, the Sinhala community ought maintain their dignity. He also added that for that purpose the entire sangha sabava inclusive of himself should take action to cremate the body at vihara premises itself. He further went on to say that "If there is a government, people won't take law into their hands like this. What we are experiencing in Mullaitivu is the consequences of the law not taking effect in one and the same country. But e careful ... this cremation is carried out in vihara premises with votes of the Tamil National Alliance in mind. During the time this temple was built, our Medhalankarakiththi thero mediated and has brought a Ganadevi statue here for moving up and down to pay homage. It was after that a dayaka sabhava came into being with a kovila being constructed. This then is an action launched by political separatists. We appeal to masses of this country, Tamil brothers not to become a prey to these people; but to obey the law and settle the issue peacefully ... this whole land is a Buddhist land ... an archaeological reserve for an extent of 93 acres. Not being able to conserve these is an issue of governments. This land was here even before 2500 years. It is about this situation that has dawned".

- Madhawa Kulasuriya -