Three monks begin hunger strike in Sri Lanka over redevelopment of major Buddhist site
Three Buddhist monks began a hunger strike in Sri Lanka’s ancient city of Anuradhapura on Wednesday, demanding that the government withdraw a development plan for the historic pilgrimage centre.The protest centres on a gazette notification issued by the National Physical Planning Department on February 27, outlining an updated Anuradhapura Sacred Area Development Plan. The proposal seeks to expand the designated sacred zone from 28 to 38 square kilometres and improve infrastructure, sanitation, transport and facilities for pilgrims and tourists.But the plan has triggered resistance among some Buddhist monks and residents, who fear that redevelopment could change the character of an area regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most important centres of Buddhist worship. Concerns have been raised over the possibility of other religious places of worship coming up within the expanded zone, restrictions on religious activities and plans to put up protective fencing around important Buddhist monuments.Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been a centre of Buddhist worship for more than 2,200 years. It is home to several revered sites, including the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree believed to have grown from a sapling of the tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, and the Ruwanweli Maha Seya stupa. Together with other important landmarks, these form the city’s Atamasthana, or eight sacred places.The dispute has also centred on a reported signboard identifying a site within the Atamasthana area as a Kali Kovil. Some residents have expressed concern that the presence of other religious structures could expand within the sacred zone. However, National Physical Planning Department director general Ruchira Vithana has rejected allegations that the gazette allows new religious buildings or restricts devotees from visiting sacred sites. He has said archaeological evidence points to the ruins of a 10th-century Kali Kovil in the area, but there is no evidence of a newly constructed Rama Kovil or other religious buildings. He has also said that the Archaeology Ordinance prohibits unauthorised construction.The government maintains that the plan is intended to conserve the historic city and improve facilities without changing its religious character. Officials have said the development proposal was prepared in consultation with religious authorities and government agencies, including the Urban Development Authority and the Department of Archaeology. A protective barrier near Ruwanweli Maha Seya, they say, is intended to safeguard the archaeological site and keep stray animals away, with an environmentally friendly bio-fence also planned.The agitation had already escalated into a sit-in protest led by Ven Balangoda Kassapa Thera. Protesters clashed with police over construction of an elevated structure, following which a magistrate’s court ordered them to vacate areas around Ruwanweli Maha Seya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and remove their temporary tents. The protesters remained at the site despite the order.Kassapa told reporters on Wednesday that the three monks had not eaten solid food since lunch on Tuesday. He appealed to supporters not to bring them liquids and said the hunger strike would continue until the government withdrew the gazette and secured the release of Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara, who has returned to prison to serve the remainder of a six-year sentence for contempt of court in a case concerning the disappearance of a journalist.While some Buddhist clergy have welcomed the expansion of the protected area and the proposed infrastructure upgrades, others have insisted that development must not undermine religious practices or damage the site’s heritage. The disagreement has put the government under pressure to demonstrate that its plans to modernise the pilgrimage centre will not come at the cost of the religious character that makes Anuradhapura sacred.
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