Colombo sources have stated that sixteen statues of Thiruvalluvar, the author of Tamil treatise on ethics Tirukkural, will be installed across Sri Lanka in the coming weeks, according to V. Radhakrishnan, State Minister of Education.
It is stated that among the places where the statues would be kept would be Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullativu and Chavakachcheri all in the Northern Province, Puttalam in the North West, Colombo in the Western, Matale, Hatton and Nawalapitiya in the Central, Rakwana in Sabaragamuwa and Kaddaiparichchan, Batticaloa and Thambiluvil , all in the Eastern province.
When asked whether there would be any problem in the country in the light of the recent controversy over the installation of a Thiruvalluvar statue in Haridwar of Uttarakhand, India, Mr Radhakrishnan has it was precisely for this reason that he had taken all into confidence before making any move in this regard.
Meanwhile V. G. Santhosam president of the Association has said the rationale behind the move was to foster greater understanding between India and Sri Lanka and has also expressed the desire to develop an amusement park in Colombo or Batticaloa.
