Bhikku to conduct pooja in Kathirkaamam Pi'l'laiyaar temple

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 May 2010, 10:03 GMT]
A fundamental right violation petition was filed in Matara High Court last week challenging the action taken by the relevant Sri Lanka government authority to appoint a Buddhist monk to hold Pooja and manage the administration of the Chellak-Kathirkaamam Maa'nikka Pi'l'laiyaar Temple in Kathirkaamam.

The petitioner Swami Yogi Siri Sivachchandran of Kalladi in Batticaloa on behalf of Hindu devotees has filed the FR petition stating relevant authority is taking action to remove the Hindu priest hitherto managing the temple and conduct Pooja according to Hindu rites.

He further says in his petition since the time the temple is founded Hindu priests are managing the temple and conducting religious rites according Hindu customs as it is revered as a Hindu temple by Hindus and Buddhists without any difference.

By appointing a Buddhist monk to manage the Hindu temple and perform Pooja according to Buddhist rites is tantamount of violating the fundamental rights of Hindu community causing pain of mind.

Hence he begs court to order the relevant authority prevent from appointing a Buddhist monk to perform Pooja and manage the Hindu temple and provide necessary relief to the Hindu community.

The Prime Minister D.M.Jayaretna who is also holding the post Buddha Sasana Ministry, Kathirkaamam Divisional Secretary Dikkiribanda Muhandirmge Attapattu, Ratmalana Venerable Siththartha Thera and Sivam Upul Chandim Dissanayake have been cited as respondents in the FR case, sources said.