Checkpoints extend opening times for Vattrapalai festival

[TamilNet, Thursday, 19 May 2005, 10:51 GMT]
Sri Lanka security forces have agreed to keep open the Omanthai and Muhamalai checkpoints from 4 am till 10.30 pm on the 22nd and 23rd of this month to reduce transport difficulties of devotees during the annual Vattrapalai Kannaki Amman temple Pongal festival. Thousands of devotees from different parts of Sri Lanka are expected to be arriving at Mullaitivu for the festival, organizers said.

Temple administraters requested for a full 24 hour opening of the said checkpoints, sources said.

Transport arrangements, drinking water and other health facilities during the festival have been organized by different festival organizing committees with full cooperation of the Government departments, sources said.