Sri Lanka Army Media Statement

It has been brought to notice that the disposal of a very old replica of a Buddha statue, made of paper pulp inside the Regimental Headquarters Battalion of Gemunu Watch in Kuruwita is given a misinterpretation in some social media sections in order to highlight it as an act of sacrilege and purposeful vandalism.

The said replica that was used during the Poson decorations some 10 – 15 years ago had been found moth-eaten, disfigured and beyond repair and kept in a backyard hut inside the camp before the place was cleaned up and its garbage piled up before the stock were to be disposed on the directions of the Commanding Officer of the Battalion.

However, one of the medically categorized soldiers, attached to the said camp due to psychiatric disorders sustained during the war before 2009 while engaged in clean-up work (fatigue) this morning (19) has set ablaze to the heap, regardless of previous instructions given to him to that effect.

The Commanding Officer of the said camp has in the no way given any instructions for such burning, although this damaged replica of the Buddha were to be however disposed later on in consultation with a Buddhist monk in the area. Attempts by interested parties to misinterpret the incident are regretted and rejected outright. (Ends)” (www.army.lk)