Archeological Dept put up new bill board near Thanthamalai Murugan temple

The new billboard put up by the Department of Archeology in Thanthamalai, Batticalao. 

The Department of Archeology erected new boards along the road towards Thanthamalai Murugan temple in Batticaloa on Thursday declaring the area belong to the department without any prior notice, alleged locals. 

The Murugan temple a located in Manmunai South Divisional Secretariat. The billboard in trilingual language reads : “ Thanthamalai Archeological area”. 

Former MP P. Ariyanenthiran raised concerns on the recent step by the department saying whether the any hidden agendas of constructing Buddhist shrines in the region following the new billboards. 

The new billboards are put up just three days after the recent incident where an attempt to erect a Buddha statue without approval caused controversy in Trincomaleee early this week. (Northeastern Monitor/ November 22/2025)