The government has turned down a bishop’s request to build a new church in his diocese, citing strong opposition from local Buddhists.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs wrote to Bishop Harold Anthony Perera of Kurunegala yesterday, telling him it was unable to give permission because it would damage relations between Buddhists and Catholics in Hendiyagala near Pannala.

“They said they can’t give permission because of objections raised by Buddhists,” Bishop Perera said.

He said he had appealed to central government after local authorities in Pannala had earlier turned down a similar request.

The church was to replace a temporary structure built in 1997 for over 100 Catholic families, and which was burned down on May 13.

Catholics allege Buddhist extremists were responsible for the burning and the throwing a statue of Mother Mary into a river. The statue was recovered on July 3.

The government’s decision follows an acrimonious meeting at the ministry on Tuesday between Buddhists and Catholics, and included several monks and priests, to try and resolve the issue.

The meeting was called after the ministry said it received two local government reports outlining why they had refused the bishop’s plans.

According to ministry official, M. S. Kapukotuwa, the Buddhists at the meeting reiterated their opposition to building a church in a Buddhist majority village.

Their opposition was so strong the monks exchanged heated words with the priests and officials, the senior assistant secretary of Buddhist affairs said.

Their main objection was Catholics would try to convert Buddhists, she added.

Father Linus Mcleod, a parish priest denied this yesterday, saying the 100 Catholic families living in the area needed a permanent structure.

“If they do not have a church they must travel to one in Nalawalana which is more than four kilometers away. Some people are elderly and are unable to travel,” he said.

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