Even after four years have passed, More than 30 Saiva temples are found either destroyed or damaged in the three divisions of Ki'linochchi district, informed sources in Ki'linohchi told TamilNet on Saturday. In one division alone, 24 churches have been damaged during the war, according to civil sources in Ki'linochchi. In one of the division, Poonakari, two churches (St. Mary's Church and Our Lady of Refuge Church) were fully destroyed while 22 other churches have been partially damaged in Poonakri (Pooneryn).
The occupying Sri Lankan military, which has deployed soldiers in the vicinity of Uruththirapureechvaram temple situated in Karaichchi DS division, has threatened the Saiva priest of the temple and are trying to install a Buddha statue there, civil officials said.
The SL military has restricted civilians from accessing Kanakaampikai-temple and keeps the place as a ‘High Security Zone’.
10 other Hindu temples remain damaged in Karaichchi DS division. These are: Porikadavai amman, Kanthassami temple, Ramanathapuram Krishna temple, Uruththirapuram Murukan temple, Vayaloor-murukan of Vaddakkachchi, Pi'l'laiyaar temple at Mu'rippu, Skanthapuram murukan, Vanneari aiyanaar, and Vanneari Murukan temple.
Murukan temple at Kumarapuram, Potkadavai pi'l'laiyaar koayil at Kugnchu-Paranthan, Amman koayil at Paramankeerai and Amman koayil at Kauthaari-munai are found damaged in Poonakari division which has been heavily militarised.
In Pazhai division, Maa'nikkap-pi'l'laiyaar koayil and Amman-koayil at Mukamaalai are fully destroyed while Ka'n'nakai Amman koayil at Iyakkachchi, Karanthai koayil and Thaamaraik-kea'ni temple in Pazhai DS division are found damaged.
TN
