Buddhist Monk Denies Temple Attack

June 20, 2006

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5097286.stm

On June 20, 2006 BBC News reported, "The head monk of a Buddhist temple has contradicted a Sri Lankan government report that the Tamil Tigers attacked his temple. The monk told the BBC that shots had been fired at a sentry point, not at the Somawathi shrine itself, 170km (105 miles) north-east of Colombo. He said it was unclear who fired the shots. The Tamil Tigers earlier denied attacking the temple. Meanwhile, the rebels have said they are committed to a four-year-old truce. The shrine's chief monk, Mahamune Sri Sumangala, told the BBC Sinhala service it was difficult to see a motive for the attack near his temple, which injured no one and caused no damage. 'All through the conflict, we never had any trouble from the Tigers,' he said. 'Since 2002, the area had been relatively peaceful. But there are so many groups around in the area including hunters. It is difficult to say who is responsible.'"