Archaeology Department Signboard installed at Thandhamalai Murugan Temple

24-Nov-2025

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“The signboard installed near the Thandhamalai Murugan Temple identifying the site as an archaeological location must be removed by next Monday, failing which legal action will be taken against the Department of Archaeology”, said I. Thiresakumaran, Chairman of the Manmunai West–Pattipalai Pradeshiya Sabha.

He stated that the signboard was installed without obtaining any permission from the Pradeshiya Sabha, and that the Sabha has already notified the Department of Archaeology in writing.

Speaking further at a press briefing held at the Pradeshiya Sabha on November 23, he said:

“In Thandhamalai village, which falls within the administrative limits of the Manmunai West Pradeshiya Sabha, our traditional place of worship— the Murugan Temple that upholds and preserves our Hindu faith— was secretly targeted yesterday. Officials from the Archaeology Department arrived without informing anyone and affixed a signboard declaring it an archaeological site.

In this region, no signboard may be erected without the approval of the Pradeshiya Sabha. This is an area where 99% of the population is Hindu. Therefore, they should not engage in such deceitful acts.

To be frank, we do not view this as the work of a government department. We see it as the activity of an institution promoting Buddhist ideology.

They must remove the signboard immediately. If they fail to do so, a public protest will erupt,” he warned.