Four Hindu temples in the Batticaloa District were ransacked and damaged by unidentified persons back in June
The well-crafted sculptures and other idols at the temples were vandalized and jewellery and money were looted, sources said. The vandalized temples are Sri Sellakathirgamar Temple, Maangadu Pillaiyar Temple, Kirankulam Iyanaar Temple and Pandiruppu Draupathai Amman Temple. According to sources, the temples were damaged by a group of unidentified persons. The attackers had damaged 19 statues of deities at the Batticaloa Kurukkal Madam Sri Sellakathirgarmar temple, and removed 20 gold sovereigns and a gold plate kept underneath a statue. The significant sculpture and other idols at the Pillaiyar Temple located at Batticaloa Maangadu village were also damaged.
Meanwhile, the cash till and the gold jewellery were stolen from the Iyanar Temple located between Kirankulam village and Ambilanthurai, sources said. The temple administrations have made complaints regarding the incidents, to the Kaluwanchikudy Police.
Meanwhile, the pinnacle of the Draupathai Amman Temple located close to Pandiriuppu and the Ampara District has also been removed by the vandals. The temple management has lodge a complaint with the Kalmunai Police, and investigations are currently underway.
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Batticaloa District Parliamentarians, P. Selvarasa, P. Ariyanenthiran and C. Yogeswaran have visited the damaged temples and made assessments of the damage.
