Hindu ceremonies being organised

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The authorities in Jaffna are making arrangements to transport devotees to Keerimalai Naguleswaram temple for Mahasivaraththiri poojas on February 25, said temple sources in Keerimalai. Six buses will be used to transport devotees from Tellippalai on that day for poojas from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

On the February 26, buses are being organised for the morning pooja between 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. from Tellipalai.

Devotees from other areas will come to Tellipalai before being taken to Keerimalai which is in the high security zone in the peninsula.

An organising committee consisting of 30 Sri Lankan Army personnel and 30 civilians are now having the area around the temple cleared, putting up toilets and streamlining other facilities for the event.

The Waligamam North Development Society, Hindu Society, Young Men's Hindu Association (YMHA) and the Tellippalai Multi-purpose Co-operative Society (MPCS) are associated in this endeavor.

The SLA is putting up a temporary cafe selling vegetarian meals for devotees. The Tellippalai MPCS has also made a request for a cafe of its own.

The Government Agent, Assistant Government Agents, the Medical Officer of Health of the area and temple authorities will meet on February 23, to discuss the arrangements for the event.

" The Jaffna Hindus are very sensitive and concerned about their religion, more than Tamil Eelam. Events like this help us build greater rapport with them" said an army officer, speaking to the TamilNet correspondent on condition of anonymity about the Sivarathiri arrangements.

The SLA is currently engaged in a comprehensive and systematic 'hearts and minds' operation which, it believes, would alienate the local population in due course from the Liberation Tigers.