Government urged to declare Keerimalai in HSZ sacred area

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 March 2003, 13:13 GMT]
The Valigamam North Rehabilitation Organization (VNRO) has requested the United National Front (UNF) government to declare Keerimalai in the high security zone (HSZ) as a sacred area, sources said. Keerimalai located in the north western corner of Jaffna peninsula is considered a sacred area by Hindus in Sri Lanka.

Hindus perform religious rites on Adi Amavasai Day every year at Keerimalai in remembrance of their dead beloved fathers, religious sources said.

The historic Naguleswaram temple is located at Keerimalai area in the Valigamam north Division, which comes under the high security zone since 1991, sources said.

VNRO has submitted a memorandum to the Hindu Affairs Minister Mr. T.Maheswaran requesting him to take immediate steps to develop Keerimalai as a sacred area, sources said.

The Jaffna district secretariat in 1979 formulated a programme to develop Keerimalai area but it did not materialize due to the war, sources said.