Tamil Buddhists and Terrorism

Tamil Buddhists and Terrorismbroadly highlighted by many historians. Fear of
Nagadeepa Purana Vihara or Nainativu is a shining'Sinhala-Buddhist expansion' was course to immerge a
example of inter racial harmony in Srilanka. Nagadeepanotorious response among some Tamils. A more
situated in Jaffna district in Northern Province ofextreme act was the destruction of ancient Buddhist
Srilanka. This had been improved at various stagessites by the born blind natives and terrorists. The
and ever since it has become the most sanctifiedTamils were worried about Buddhist sites and shrines
place of worship by the devotees. Stupa at thebeing discovered in the north-east. This was because
temple was constructed by the two warring Nagathat they erroneously believed if proof of a Buddhist
kings, Chulodara and Mahodara, at the site wherepresence in the north-east will erode the Tamil rights
Lord Buddha during His second visit to Lanka, fiveto habitation in those regions. Particular reason is, in
years after attaining Enlightenment intervened andSri Lankan context some believe that Buddhism was
mediated in settling a dispute over the possession oflinked only to the Sinhalese. This intention makes
a gem-studded throne. This precious throne wasworse the political crisis in between the ethnics
offered to the Buddha, was returned to the Nagagroups of Srilanka.
Kings and was later enshrined in this stupa. ThisThese fears and concerns were due to lack of
chaitya the Nagadeepa Seya is supposed to be oneknowledge. The Tamils had at one point of history
of the 16 most sacred places to be worshipped bybeen Buddhists and the discovery of Buddhist links
Buddhists in Sri Lanka. History records that it waswas something to be resented by some groups.
developed and reconstructed by pious kings likeTherefore, terrorism had got more powerful and
Devanampiyatissa, Dutugemunu and converted into asince 1950s many violent incidents had been occurred
fully accomplished sacred place. According to thearound the Nagadeepa area. In 1958, communal
golden Sannasa Wallipuram, committed to writinggroups converged on Nagadeepa and attacked the
during the reign of king Vasabha, it is the presentvihara in the absence of the priest. The ancient
Jaffna Peninsula that was identified as Nagadeepa.statue of the Buddha was destroyed. In 1986, two
Nagadeepa puarana viharaya secured with TamilTiger recruits from the Nainatheevu Island laid
Buddhists and also Tamils more than thousands ofunderwater explosives along the jetty. Again in 1990,
years which clearly can contrast with theLTTE attempt to drive away the small Muslim
terrorist’s activities of last decades.population at Nainatheevu. In this last two incidents
The Palk Strait which lies between Tamil Nadu and Sriincumbent monk of the Nagadeepa viharaya,
Lankan land masses is seen as a divider, separatingVenerable Brahmanawatte Dhammakiththi Tissa
two different distinct ethnicities, religions, cultures andMahanayaka Thera was succeed to protect the
political entities. But there was a phase in history,people. Now the war have been ended, and like to
between the early years of the Christian era and thewish be it forever. This is the period for regaining the
14th century, when Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankalost dignity of Buddhists. Time is for the real patriot
enjoyed very close ties, thanks to a shared interestBuddhists to do something for one Sri Lanka.
in Buddhism. In Srilankan history there are number ofArchaeological heritage can use as the path way to
evidences about Tamil Buddhist, who had been veryfreedom and peace. It is glad to say current
actively deed in religious works of the society asgovernment now correcting the past unfortunate
same as the economical and political affairs. That thethings which push Buddha’s country to turmoil.
association of Buddhist Tamils links with Tamil NaduSpecially by create constitutional and administrative
goes back a long way. In 637 AD, when Hiuen Tsangstructures that reflect the multi-ethnic character of
landed in Kanchipuram, he recorded more than 100Sri Lanka. Also there is a requirement to take the
monasteries and over 10,000 Buddhist monks incountry away from the myths that Sri Lanka is a
Pallava country. It is rich in classical Tamil literatureTamil country from the ancient periods and it is a
too. Three of the five great epics of ancient TamilSinhala- Buddhist country.
are Buddhist. One of these is Manimekalai. AccordingArchaeology should use as the pathway to the unity
to it the chief protagonist Manimekalai visits an islandof the nation. One practical method is to organize the
called "Manipallavam." She worships at afree work camps at the Archaeological sites with the
Buddhist shrine (putha peedikai) there. It is believedparticipation of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, with the
that Nagadeepa is Manipallavam. Therefore we canassistance of the academic institutes, rural
believe that, as a Buddhists and also as an excellentorganizations and religious Centers. With the help of
Tamil, many Tamils were in perspective to protectthe same village level organizations, institutions can
and conserve the Buddhist heritage.organize visits to places of historical importance, ruins
Nagadeepa was named as a protected archaeologicaletc. for a better understand the culture and
site under the antiquity ordinance, No 09 of 1940 andcivilization of various ethnic religious groups.
the amendment,No 24 of 1998. There are more thanRe-establish links to the North, East, South and West
20 other listed sites around the Nagadeepa viharayaof Sri Lanka by road, rail and air and also should
in Jaffna peninsula, according to the report that sentdevelop the sea route. Ports in the North and East
to the UNESCO in 1983, by the president of theshould be developed in Kankasanturai, Pt. Pedro, and
Conference of Buddhists association in governmentMannar. One of the main requests voiced by the
cooperation’s. From the 1890, all these sitespoliticians and residents of Jaffna was the re-opening
have been managed under the authority ofof the Kandy-Jaffna road or A-9 main supply road
department of Archaeology in Srilanka. However,which is now on work with strength of Mr. Basil
many archaeological surveys also had been done byRajapaksa.
the department of archaeology in the University ofThere is some sort of debate about the first
Jaffna. Recently the Jaffna peninsula is in under thedwellers of Jaffna and its surrounding regions. In here
military supervision to prevent the terrorist activitiesI believe we must make these discussions close
and to keep peace. Still there are minimumdown. Let such topics limit into the scholarly studies
transportation facilities to the district and securitybut please not take them in to the politics. Now there
problems, therefore observation of the departmentare no miner nations in Sri Lanka any more. Our Tamil
of archaeology not directed for last two decades.brothers and sisters are also the care takers of the
Within last century many Tamil historians define thedignity of Sri Lanka. This is our country. No matter
Srilanka history as completely Tamil, what makeyou is a Buddhist, Hindu or Catholic. Let take back Sri
Sinhalese instigate to against this writings and toLanka to the prosperity with our heritage and
protect Buddhist monuments as a Sinhala heritage.religious unity. Period of terrorism is ended. It is time
Especially similar to this, Sinhala Buddhist concept wasto Tamil Buddhist.