Desecration of Saiva temples in Trincomalee district continues

[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 2010, 14:39 GMT]
Desecration of Saiva temples in the Eastern Province, especially in Trincomalee district, continues causing serious concern among the Saiva community. Last week unidentified men had desecrated three Saiva koayils in Thampalakaamam, a traditional village in Trincomalee. The head of the statue of Vairavar in the historic Aathi Koa'neasvarar Temple and the head of the Naakathampi’raan statue in Kaa'limeadu Mari Amman Koayil were found smashed and the holy trident in Paddimeadu Chinthaama'ni Pi’l’laiyaar Koayil was found missing, according to complaints lodged with Thampalakaamam Police.

Meanwhile, Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian C. Yogeswaran alleged that Buddhist chauvinist elements are behind these acts of desecration and vandalism.

Yogeswaran added that Sri Lanka police are not taking any action to bring the culprits to book even after complaints had been made to them.

He cited several instances where Buddhist chauvinist elements are constructing Buddhist temples in places in the East where Saiva temples were located.

He said the holy Siva Lingkam in Kangkuveali Akaththiyar Sthaapana Sivan Koayil was damaged by some elements. Palamurukan Koayil, Neeliyamman Koayil and some more temples in Verukal Divisional Secretary division had been damaged in the past, Yogeswaran said.

The police had not investigated into the incidents even after complaints were made to them by temple officials.

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