A small Catholic community in the largely Buddhist city of Matugama has fought an uphill battle to preserve the sanctity of a cemetery in St. Mary’s Church, in which a local priest says a crucifix has been the target of repeated acts of vandalism.

Father Devshan Asanka, the parish priest, said the crucifix, which was recently replaced after having been damaged, was again vandalized last week.

“We filed a complaint to police in Matugama, and they came to investigate. But so far, they have not identified any suspects.”

The priest said the cemetery and the chapel at St. Mary’s Church in the Archdiocese of Colombo have been targeted repeatedly in recent years.

“It all started in 2004,” Father Asanka said, adding that the chapel, the crucifix and the wall around the cemetery had come under attack by alleged vandals in the last six years.

Udaya Kumara, a police inspector in Matugama, said the latest damage to the Church cemetery remains an open case.

“Investigations are ongoing. We have already taken fingerprints but no one has been arrested,” he said.

“I do not think any Buddhist could have been involved in such a case,” he added. “This incident should not be used to stir up conflict between Christians and Buddhists in the area.”

All but a small fraction of residents in Matugama are Buddhist, according to Father Sanka, who added that the parish comprises about 250 Tamil and Sinhalese families.

However, others fear the vandalism is part of a larger problem.

“Buddhist extremists are worried about evangelization. After a poster campaign against the church in 2009, we went with the former parish priest to some temples in the area and made them aware of our position on the conversion issue. We have never supported forced conversions,” said Rukmal Shantha Mendis, an active member of the parish council.

He said he believed the attacks were the work of Buddhist extremists in the area.

“[They] tried to burn a wooden pallet we made for the procession of the Blessed Sacrament in Matugama in 2009,” he said.

Vijitha Thero, a Buddhist monk at Narawila temple in Matugama, condemned the attacks.

“Everyone has the right to practice his religion without hindrance. We as Buddhists condemn all attacks targeting the church,” he said.

“We do not want divisions on the grounds of religion. We want to be united as one nation and build a just society for all.”

Father Asanka said he and his parishioners are hopeful about the safety of the Church.

“We cannot judge people. But God will definitely judge them. I’m planning to fix a new crucifix at the cemetery.”

Related reports:

Government refuses new church plan