Travel restrictions eased for Temple ceremony

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 14 July 1999, 03:21 GMT]
The security forces relaxed travel restrictions imposed on people from army controlled areas to visit Verugal in the Muttur area, Trincomalee district to witness the consecration (Kumbapishegam) ceremony of the historic Hindu temple, the Sithiravelauthaswamy Kovil, residentssaid.

The Verugal division is under the control of Liberation Tigers.

The Verugal Hindu temple is situated south of Trincomalee district, bordering Batticaloa and is revered as Sinna Kathirgamam in the east by the Hindu community.

During the Kumbapishegam period, people from army controlled areas are allowed to go to Verugal without obtaining a pass. Vehicular movements are also allowed, residents added.

Arrangements have been made to run special bus services from Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Valaichchenai and Trincomalee to Verugal during the festival period, sources said.

Normally people from army-controlled areas have to obtain a pass from the police to go to Verugal. People of Verugal are allowed to take limited quantity of essential food from army-controlled areas on their return.

Once the Kumbapishegam ceremony is over, all restrictions would be re-imposed, security sources said.