Buddhist monks decry 'false narrative' around Wilpattu

A group of Buddhists monks who are chief incumbents of temples in Vavuniya undertook a visit to areas in Silawathura, Mannar on Monday where displaced civilians were being resettled. 

They met with area residents and also observed the ruins of several houses built under a housing scheme in Marichchikatti in 1980. The housing scheme had been declared open by former President R. Premadasa. 

Speaking to media after the visit, the monks stated that a false narrative is currently circulating that Muslims were illegally being settled inside the boundaries of the Wilpattu National Park and that this was completely untrue. People were simply moving back into their traditional lands that had been taken over by the jungles and were now clearing them, they added. They further said that those who spread such unfounded stories should take the time to visit the area and see the truth for themselves. 

However, they added that there were also Sinhala and Tamil families displaced by the conflict waiting to go back to their traditional lands. They asked authorities to expedited their resettlment as well. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka

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