The Sri Lankan police force has arrested two Tamil youths from Jaffna after reportedly taking photographs in the vicinity of the controversial Thaiyiddy Vihara, a Buddhist shrine at the centre of a long-running dispute over the colonisation of Tamil land in the Valikamam North region, Repoorts Tamil Gaurdian.
The arrests were carried out by officers attached to the Palaly Police Station during special Vesak observances held at the vihara on Friday the 29th April 2026.
According to reports, special religious activities were taking place at the site as part of Vesak celebrations. At the same time, Tamil landowners were conducting a protest nearby, continuing their campaign for the return of lands on which the vihara has been constructed, as well as surrounding privately-owned properties.