page_title: Muhudu Maha Vihara
section_title: Take Over by Muslims and Vandalism
hierarchical_section_title: Muhudu Maha Vihara / Take Over by Muslims and Vandalism
caption_attribution_description: English: Ruins at Muhudu Maha Vihara, Pothuvil, Sri Lanka
context_page_description: Muhudu Maha Vihara is a Buddhist temple situated at Pottuvil in Ampara District, Eastern province of Sri Lanka. This temple which is situated near a wide beach, has been built over 2000 years ago by King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna. Currently the ruins and remains of ancient stupas, Seema Malaka, Avasa Geya and statues can be seen at the site. Important ruins at the temple premises include stone statues of lord Buddha and two statues of old kings or gods.
context_section_description: In recent times the lands reserved for the temple have been forcibly taken over by Muslims with the alleged support of Muslim politicians such as M. L. A. M Hizbullah. According to the Monks of temple as of 2019 out of the 72 acres of the temple 55 acres have been forcibly taken over by Islamic extremists including those that are affiliated with the National Thowheeth Jama'ath. The road leading to the temple was renamed with the Arabic name "Masjithul  Palah Road" while Monks living in the temple had been harmed and devotees harassed.  Further several ruins including moonstones had been vandalised by Muslims.
  In August 2019 the National Movement of Sinhale staged a protest outside the ministry of Buddhasasana against the attack on a Buddhist monk of the Muhudu Maha Viharaya. 
  In May 2020 Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa directed defence officials to investigate the situation which resulted in Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratna, Army Commander Shavendra Silva, Navy Commander Piyal De Silva, acting IGP C. D Wickremeratne touring the temple premises. A Sri Lankan Navy force was promised to be stationed in the Temple to protect the site.  However government workers surveying the archeological sites were threatened by Muslim mobs led by politicians of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress.
caption: Ruins at Muhudu Maha Vihara
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