The Trincomalee District Secretariat was thrown into disarray today as a group of Buddhist monks staged a fervent protest against a recent order issued by Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman. The directive, which called for the immediate halt of construction on a new Buddhist temple in the traditionally Tamil-inhabited village of Trincomalee-Nilaveli-Periyakulam, has sparked outrage and tensions in the region.

The monks, clad in their saffron robes, gathered in front of the District Secretariat early in the morning, vehemently expressing their dissent. Their demonstration not only disrupted the scheduled District Coordination Committee meeting but also drew significant attention from local residents and the media.

Governor Senthil Thondaman's order to halt the temple construction in an area predominantly inhabited by Tamils has ignited a contentious debate surrounding cultural and religious rights in the region.