Sri Lankan Buddhists Demand Demolition of Mosque

Dozens of Buddhists led by monks have joined a demonstration urging Sri Lanka's government to proceed with plans to dismantle a mosque located in a sacred Buddhist area.

The protesters marched peacefully through Kalutara town south of Colombo on Monday.

Last month, thousands of Buddhist monks and lay supporters stormed the mosque in the central town of Dambulla, saying it was constructed illegally.

The government later announced that the mosque and a Hindu temple would be demolished and relocated. Muslim clerics and politicians have strongly opposed the decision. An organizer of Monday's protest, Asoka Menikkgoda, says the government should safeguard Buddhism, the state religion, and not yield to Muslim pressure.