Life is in danger yet says Kiri Vehera Chief incumbent! 

Kobawaka Damminda thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kataragama Kiri Vehera Raja Maha Vihara claims his life is still in danger following an assassination attempt last month. As he continues to receive treatment after being shot speaking from the hospital the monk claimed he has received a number of threats in the recent past. 

“From the day I was appointed as the Chief Incumbent I have faced intimidation from various parties,” he said adding that various monks also had aims of taking over the temple. “This is a result of these threats,” he said. According to him, those arrested in connection have sworn to kill him after being released from prison. 

Dhamminda thera was shot on the temple premises on June 11. The custodian of the Mahasen Devalaya and several others were arrested in connection to the incident. According to the thera, the attempt on his life was a bid to ensure a monk related to the custodian is made the next chief incumbent of the temple.