Leave temple sacred - TULF request

[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 March 2000, 20:13 GMT]
Tamil United Liberation Front General Secretary R. Sampanthan has requested President Chandrika Kumaratunge to preserve the Thiruketheeswaram temple and its environs as a neutral peace Zone.

In his letter he has referred to the discussion TULF delegation had with her in regard to this matter.

The letter states as follows:-

The presence of the Armed Forces and the defilement caused thereby, prevents the conduct of daily poojahs and other important religious ceremonies which are obligatory to be performed normally and on special religious occasions at the Temple.

You are aware that Thiruketheeswaram is an ancient historic Temple. It is one of the five famous ancient and historic 'eswarams' of Lord Shiva in Sri Lanka. It is the strong belief of the Hindu Public that the Temple continuing to be defiled and desecrated is inauspicious and harmful to the whole country.

The Temple Authorities are desirous that the Thiruketheeswaram Temple and its environs should be preserved as a neutral peace zone, in the same manner as the Holy Madhu Church also in Mannar.

If the Armed Forces are removed the Temple Authorities are prepared to assure you that they will prevent the use of the Temple and its environs by other combatants.