SLA bars devotees from temple in Thenmaradchi

[TamilNet, Friday, 03 October 2003, 15:36 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army has refused permission for devotees to hold the Navarathiri festival in Ketpali Tharavai Nachchimar Temple, which is located outside the high security zone of Kilali naval detachment in the Thenmaradchchi east division in the Jaffna district, temple sources said.

The Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian from Jaffna district, Mr.N.Raviraj, visited the area following complaints by devotees. SLA soldiers located in the area had prevented members of the public to accompany Mr.Raviraj to the site, sources said.

Later, Mr.Raviraj held talks with the army officials who wanted two weeks' time to make arrangement to allow devotees to go to the temple, sources said.

Meanwhile, residents have been ordered by the SLA officials not to enter the coastal areas of the Ketpali village, sources said.