Sri Lanka, Jan. 4 -- Police prevented journalists from entering the highly contested Tissa Raja Maha Vihara premises in Kankesanthurai yesterday. The incident occurred during a protest in front of the Tissa Raja Maha Vihara where journalists from the private and State media had arrived to cover a protest by activists and residents.

Hundreds of protestors had gathered in front of the temple calling for the release of private land allegedly encroached on by the temple in 2018.

On Friday, the chief custodian of the historic Nagadeepa Purana Vihara joined the protestors in solidarity calling for the State to intervene in releasing private land that has been occupied by the Tissa Raja Maha Vihara.

Among the protestors were Tamil National Al...