Thaiyiddy land owners urge Govt to release remaining land around controversial Buddhist shrine

Tissa Vihara located on private land in Thaiyiddy, Kankesanthurai.

Land owners whose land was utilized to build a Buddhist shrine in Thaiyiddy, Kankesanthurai urged government to release the remaining land around the shrine without further delay. 

When a group of land owners from the area met with Jaffna district Secretary M.  Piratheepan on Wednesday (December 31), Secretary proposed  that remaining private land - other than the land on which the shrine is constructed- can be released in forum phases. 

The land owners welcomed the move but reiterated that their remaining land should be returned to them without further delay since the region was under military occupation for over three decades. 

Valikaamam North Pradeshiya Sabha recently passed a resolution declaring the Buddhist shrine as illegal one since it is built on private land and no approval was granted to set up the shrine. 

Recently, a protest was staged in front of the shrine were protesters including clergy personnel were mishandled by police. At least six persons were arrested over the incident and later released on bail. (Northeastern Monitor/ January 1/2026)