Nainativu Bhikkhu Backs Jaffna Landowners in Thaiyetti Vihara Dispute: "Religious Leaders Must Not Seize Private Property"

JAFFNA, SRI LANKA – In a significant development regarding the controversial Thaiyetti Vihara, a prominent Buddhist monk from Nainativu has publicly sided with Tamil landowners, calling for the return of private property currently occupied by a newly constructed Buddhist temple and military structures.

The visit by the Nainativu Bhikkhu to the Thaiyetti site on Thursday has injected fresh momentum into a long-standing dispute that has become a flashpoint for ethnic and religious tensions in the North.

Confirmation of Encroachment

Standing alongside local residents and pointing to the sprawling temple complex, the Bhikkhu confirmed that the Tissa Vihara was built on the wrong site. According to historical records and land deeds, the monk identified a separate, specific plot of land where the temple should have been located, acknowledging that the current construction encroaches significantly on private ancestral lands.

"The monks who built this did so without proper documentation or historical authority," the Bhikkhu stated during an interview at the site. "Buddha taught that we must never take what is not ours. Seizing the property of others is a grave mistake and goes against our religious principles."

Landowners’ 12-Year Battle

For the local Tamil residents, the monk’s admission is a rare validation of a struggle that has lasted over a decade. Landowners present at the site shared stories of a 12-year legal battle that has yielded little results. They expressed frustration with government promises of a "phased release" of land, which many fear is a tactic to delay the permanent return of their property.

"We have been fighting for 35 months in continuous protests, but our families have been displaced from this land for 40 years," said one landowner. "We are told the land is being released in stages, but meanwhile, new statues and buildings are being erected."

The residents highlighted that while they respect the right to worship, the current "occupation" involves over 15 acres of land, whereas the temple only requires a small fraction of that space.

Call for an End to Military Interference

The video report also captured the heavy military presence in the area. The visiting Bhikkhu urged the police and security forces to allow the residents to protest peacefully without harassment.

"These are innocent people asking for what is theirs," the monk said. "I urge the authorities and the police not to obstruct their path. Taking this to court only creates more delay and pain. The government must act to ensure justice is served now."

A Proposed Compromise

In a surprising move, the Nainativu Bhikkhu proposed a compromise: the Vihara should retain only one acre of land for its religious functions, and the remaining 14+ acres should be immediately returned to the rightful owners. He warned that any further attempts to secretly expand the temple or place new statues would only deepen the rift between communities.

The incident comes at a time of heightened sensitivity in the Jaffna peninsula, as local activists continue to monitor the "Sinhalization" of traditional Tamil areas through the construction of religious monuments in civilian zones.

As of press time, the resident monks of the Thaiyetti Vihara and government officials have not issued a formal response to the Nainativu Bhikkhu’s statements. For the people of Thaiyetti, however, having a member of the Buddhist clergy validate their claims marks a historic turning point in their quest for restitution.

This video, titled "Slightly earlier, the Nainai Bhikkhu entered the Thaiyetti land! The Vihara issue is heating up!", documents a significant visit by a prominent Buddhist monk (Bhikkhu) from Nainativu to the disputed Thaiyetti Vihara site in Jaffna.

The video captures a rare moment of dialogue and site inspection involving the monk, local Tamil landowners, and activists regarding the ongoing land occupation and temple construction controversy.

Abstract

The video centers on the long-standing land dispute in Thaiyetti, where a Buddhist Vihara (Tissa Vihara) has been constructed on private lands belonging to local Tamil residents. The core of the narrative is the visit of the Nainativu Bhikkhu, who publicly acknowledges that the current Vihara was built on private property rather than the historical temple land.

Through interviews with the monk and the affected landowners, the video highlights:

• The Misplacement of the Temple: The monk points out the specific location where the Tissa Vihara should have been built, confirming that the current structure encroaches on 15–20 acres of private land [05:20].
• Support for Land Restitution: Contrary to the actions of the resident monks and military, the visiting Nainativu Bhikkhu expresses that the people’s land should be returned to them, stating that Buddhist principles forbid taking others' property [28:09].
• Legal and Political Frustration: Landowners express deep frustration over a 12-year legal battle [13:38] and government promises of "phased releases" which they view as a stalling tactic.
• Call for Peaceful Protest: The monk urges authorities and police not to obstruct the peaceful protests of the landowners and calls for a permanent resolution rather than temporary fixes [30:30].

Key Takeaways

• Verification of Land Ownership: The monk admits he has the historical deeds and that the current construction lacks proper documentation [26:53].
• Community Tension: There is significant concern regarding the military's role in the construction and the restriction of movement for the original landowners [11:52].
• A Call for Integrity: The visiting monk characterizes the current situation as a "great mistake" by religious leaders and advocates for the temple to occupy only a minimal area (approx. 1 acre) while returning the rest to the public [32:40].

     In solidarity,

     Wimal Navaratnam

     Human Rights Advocate | ABC Tamil Oli (ECOSOC)

      Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com

Video Link: Watch here