National Centre for Cultural Heritage has denied reports that Buddhist sites are being renovated in the Maldives.
The heritage centre made the statement after some media outlets published photos of work being done at the heritage sites in Landhoo, Noonu Atoll, and claimed that the government is using India’s financial assistance to renovate Buddhist sites in the country. The centre states that such reports are politically motivated to spread disinformation and increase public discontent.
In the statement, the heritage centre stated that the government is working to develop the heritage sites in Landhoo with a museum and heritage park and that the project is being funded with USD259,000 of grant aid provided by the Government of India. It also expressed concern that the reports would undermine the faith and create division among citizens and called on media outlets to refrain from using religion as a political tool.