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A leaked image claiming to show the sacred Buddha’s tooth relic has sparked national outrage in Sri Lanka, where authorities have launched a criminal investigation over a potential breach of security at the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
Sri Lankan authorities have begun an urgent investigation into a photograph circulating on social media that allegedly depicts the revered Buddha’s tooth relic. The relic, housed at the Temple of the Tooth in the historic city of Kandy, is currently on public display for the first time since 2009 — under strict security protocols and photography bans.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been tasked with determining the origin and authenticity of the image. Photography is strictly prohibited within the inner sanctum where the relic is displayed, and heavy security measures are enforced. Devotees undergo thorough security checks, including frisking, and are prohibited from carrying bags, parcels, or mobile phones into the sacred premises.
“If someone took a photo inside the temple, it is a serious security lapse,” a police official told Agence France-Presse, requesting anonymity due to lack of clearance to speak to the press. Plain-clothed officers are reportedly stationed inside the temple to enforce compliance with these protocols.
Police are currently examining whether the image was taken during the current 10-day public viewing or whether it has been digitally altered. If the photo was indeed taken during the current exhibition, it would indicate a significant breach in security.
The public display of the relic began earlier this month and will run until 27 April. On its first day alone, the Temple of the Tooth received approximately 125,000 visitors during a brief two-and-a-half-hour window. In the days following, the exhibition has remained open for five and a half hours each day.
The relic is more than a sacred object in Sri Lanka’s majority Buddhist society — it is a powerful symbol of religious reverence and national sovereignty. Its rare appearance has drawn immense crowds, with many worshippers camping overnight and causing major traffic congestion in and around Kandy.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, as the investigation into the photograph unfolds.
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#SriLankaNews #BuddhasToothRelic #KandyTemple #TempleOfTheTooth #CIDInvestigation #ReligiousSecurity #BuddhismInSriLanka
