As a resident of Anuradhapura, I am grateful to K. Godage, a former resident here, for having drawn attention to serious problems we Buddhists in Anuradhapura face as a result of the security arrangements at the ‘Maha Maluwa’.

As stated in Godage’s letter, the LTTE attacked Anuradhapura in 1985 and 14 years have elapsed since then.

It must not however be forgotten that the LTTE killed over one hundred people at the bus stand before proceeding to the ‘Bo Maluwa’ where they killed a further one hundred pilgrims who were praying; this horrific act of the LTTE should never be forgotten. There should be memorial plaques at our bus stand and at the ‘Bo Maluwa’. That being said, this horrific attack took place 15 years ago (the killers escaped despite the presence of the so-called security forces both in Anuradhapura itself and along the Puttalam road which they used both to come and to escape), there is no reason to have the security set up we have today, as the LTTE has been annihilated. We in Anuradhapura are aware that these security arrangements are to please one person and his ego, not to protect the ‘Bodhiya’. It is indeed a scandalous situation, which is known not only by the Maha Nayakes of Asgiriya and Malwatte, but also the president and his ministers, who visit here regularly.

It is indeed time that politicians of all parties unite to save Buddhism from such situations.

To conclude, I do hope that the police will remove themselves from the temple precincts and not desecrate this holy place by their presence. It is the responsibility of the president and the IGP to ensure that this is done, for we, the Buddhists of Anuradhapura in particular and the Buddhists of this country, have had to endure this unnecessary nuisance and undergone much inconvenience for much too long.