Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnansaara Thera today visited the Devenegala area to intervene in the controversy surrounding an archeological site. Saman Wijayabandara, a local journalist who went to cover an alleged land grab at the Devanagala historical site in Mawanella has been strongly opposed by the residents of the area. The chief priest of the Devenegala temple also told the meida that the groups involved in the alleged land grab had subjected him to harassment.

The chief priest alleged that “extremist groups” are behind the land grab of the archeological site and they are sabotaging the survey process conducted by the Department of Archeology.

It was in the wake of this controversy that Gnanasara Thera, accompanied by several other monks, visited the Devenegala area today.

Gnanasara Thera met the Muslim groups in the area and asked if there are any hooligans (Chandi) who are blocking the work of the Department of Archeology.

“There is no problem here. The site should be allowed to be measured. If you have rights, you can claim them. Don’t try to forge deeds using the power of certain groups. There is something called the truth. Our duty is to protect these archeological sites.”

“If there is someone who is trying to destroy the archeological sites we know how to deal with them. So, don’t push us in that direction. These sites belong to everyone in this country. We have a police to enforce the law. If the police can’t do their job, we are ready to take the law unto ourselves and make sure that these sites are protected,” he said.