Certain websites yesterday (27) had reported that the Jaffna district secretary had ordered to stop construction of a Buddha statue in Nagadeepa.

Also, the 'Divaina' newspaper today (28) cited the chief prelate of the Nagadeepa Viharaya - Ven. Navadagala Padumakiththi Thera as saying that the Jaffna district secretary had formally ordered to stop construction of a 75-ft tall, Rs. 120 million Buddha statue in Nagadeepa.

Prevailing law

Upon looking into the matter, we learnt that the proposed site of the statue was near the seashore and this would require the permission of the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Departments.

According to the procedure of the Jaffna district secretariat, the request sent by the chief prelate of the Nagadeepa Viharaya was directed to the relevant institutions and the Thera was sent an official reply in this regard.

As the Jaffna district secretary was acting according to normal procedures followed by public servants, it is clear that a certain group is attempting to misinterpret the Jaffna district secretary's letter.