600 Hindu, Catholic priests allowed to leave internment camps in Vavuniyaa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 August 2009, 16:04 GMT]
Government of Sri Lanka Wednesday freed around 600 Hindu and Catholic priests who were held in internment camps in Vavuniyaa. They had fled Vanni when Sri Lanka Army launched its military operation against LTTE in Vanni region. A total of 571 Hindu priests, six Catholic priests and two nuns were allowed out while 220 nuns are still held in the camps.

They were handed over to the officials of the Hindu Cultural Affairs Ministry which has been assigned the task of making travel arrangement for them to go to their places in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Mannaar and Vavuniyaa.

"We are taking measures to free the remaining members of the clergy at the earliest," Ms. P.S. Charles, Vavuniyaa District Government Agent, said.

Sixteen members of four families from Ki’linochchi and Mullaiththeevu who have no relatives for them stay with outside Vavuniyaa were handed over to the All Ceylon Hindu Society.

They are to be provided temporary shelter in Thirukeatheesvaram Temple located in Mannaar, society sources said.