Eriyagama chief monks oppose Peradeniya shift

By L.B.Senaratne

Chief incumbents of five temples in Yatinuwara have filed a fundamental right case, challenging the government decision to shift the Peradeniya town to Eriyagama on the Kandy-Colombo road.

The four chief monks -- Venerable Wattegama Dhamawansa Thera of Si Subodharamaya, Venerable Seevali Thera of Palduwa Purana Vihare, Venerable Polonnaruwe Sumanasara Thera of Kurukutale Vihare, Venerable Shastravedi Ambaliyadde Sangharatana Thera of Sir Baharati Privena and Venerable Rajakeeiya Panditha Shastrapathy Dumbara Soratha Thera of Devolakona Vihare -- said the proposed shifting of the town to Eriyagama would harm the interest of their temples at Eriyagama and the people who visit them for meditation and sil.

They also said the project would cause ecological damage to the Eriyagama area and would affect the residents and the livelihood of several vendors. They cited Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, the Attorney General, the Urban Development Authority, the Central Enviromental Authority and Minister of Lands and Land Development Jeewan Kumaranatunga.
Attorney-at-law Lasanthie Wijewardene appears for the five monks.