'Won't allow temple closure' - Dambulla Monks

A group of monks and area residents in Dambulla today insisted they would not allow anyone to close down the Dambulla Cave Temple. The assertion was made at a media briefing convened today to respond to reports that the Government will shut down the temple complex indefinitely for local and foreign tourists until restoration work is carried out. 

The group of monks, who were from temples belonging to the Siri Walagamba Pirivena in Dambulla, convened the media briefing this morning in front of the Dambulla Cave Temple to issue several challenges to the Government.

They stressed they would not allow the Government to close down the temple. Local and foreign tourists were seen as usual at the cave temple today despite the Government's announcement that it would be shut to tourists. 

Chief Incumbent of the Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Ambagaswewe Rahula Thera and other leading monks addressed the media briefing. 

Meanwhile, newly appointed Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Dambulla Organizers U.R. Dayanandasiri threatened to resign from his post if the Government went ahead with plans to shut down the temple. 

Story and Pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa

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