Hindu devotees allowed to access temple in Valikamam North after 30 years

 

The current condition of the Lord Krishna temple, Keerimalai, KKS released after 30 years this week. Devotees are allowed to access the temple every Friday. Pix: Special arranagement

After three decades of military custody, Hindu devotees from Valikamam North, Kankesanthurai (KKS) were allowed to access their ancestral temple of Lord Krishna in Keerimalai, Jaffna this week. 

The temple was under the custody of the Navy as part of thousands of acres which are still in military custody as High Security Zone (HSZ) in Jaffna. 

Accordingly, Hindu devotees are allowed to access the temple every Friday and conduct religious activities following the approval granted by the Navy. Earlier, local residents requested Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda to secure access to the temple as they were forced to displace their homes and properties three decades ago due to the wartime situation. 

Despite the government releasing selected land plots in KKS in recent months, over three thousand acres of private land are still in the custody of Tri Forces as residents are demanding the immediate return of their lands and resettlement on their own lands even after fifteen years passed since the end of the war in 2009. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 18/2024)