The Archaeological Department breaks up Sivalingam on threat from Sinhalese to install Buddha statue

Tension is prevailing in Koneswaram are due to threats from Sinhala people to place a Buddha statue on the road to Koneswaram, if a Sivalingam is installed in the said area.

In a context where the Temple administration had sought permission to place a Sivalingam in the area until the end of the Sivarathri season, an uncertainty is continuing to be prevailing.

In view of the Sivarathri,  the administrators of the Temple on the way to Thiru Koneswaram had installed a Sivalingam. It was installed day before yesterday, Thursday.

In this context, noticing that the Sivalingam had been broken up, the Temple administrators had informed the Police.

When police sped to the area and undertook inquiries the shop owners of the area had said that the Sivalingam was broken up by the officials of Archaeological Department. However the Archaeological Department had rejected the accusation.

They have also said that the said area belongs to the Archaeological Department.

In this context the Temple administrators had attempted to place a Sivalingam, saying that it will be there only for the duration of Sivarathri season. However Sinhala people of the area had disputed that they will place Buddha Statue in the same spot, if the Sivalingam is placed  in the said area. Because great tension had been created in the said area.