Mass Public Protest held in Thaiyiddy with Participation of Hundreds

05-Jan-2026

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Hundreds of people staged a protest in Thaiyiddy on Jan 3, demanding the removal of the illegally constructed Tissa Vihara and the return of their ancestral lands.

Participants included landowners, religious leaders, politicians, University of Jaffna students, and civil society representatives. 

The protest followed reports of plans to install a Buddha statue and conduct special religious observances at the site on Poya Day.

Although the chief incumbent of the Tissa Vihara later announced that the installation would not proceed, police recovered a Buddha statue from a military canteen in Kankesanthurai, reportedly brought from Sigiriya for installation at the site.

As news spread, large crowds gathered near the vihara, chanting slogans demanding land restitution and condemning illegal occupation. Landowners rejected proposals to return land in phases, insisting on full restitution.

A heavy police presence, including riot control units, roadblocks, water cannon vehicles, and drone surveillance, was deployed.

Religious leaders and MP Sivagnanam Sritharan warned of increasing attempts to establish Sinhala-Buddhist settlements around the illegally constructed vihara. University students pledged continued support for land restitution efforts and the broader struggle for justice.