WANNI: Devotion that couples with the sanctity of a sacred place, no matter whether it belongs to Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims or Christians, remains the same since civilized men never dared to cause harm to any religious object. But for Tiger terrorists on the run in WANNI, even a religious place does not make any difference.

Photos in this story taken by 57 division troops after capture of TERUMURIKKANDY junction, south of KILINOCHCHI on the A-9 Highway a few days ago speak louder in this connection. As troops consolidated their positions afterwards, they spotted the 1889-built Pillayar Hindu Temple by the side of a by-road in the area. To their dismay and shock, a large chunk of timber structures and roofing sheets in the Kovil premises and the main shrine were found taken away by terrorists for their construction work.

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Concerned troops brought woven cadjans, generally used for Army constructions, thatched the frontal structure of the temple and placed the holy objects at the front after commencing offerings. Pious soldiers are also busy restructuring the roof of this age-old building. Stone pillars found in the temple premises said the temple had been installed there in 1889 and named it as MURUKHANDY Pillayar temple.  

Giving the place its due religious recognition and veneration, triumphant troops immediately cleaned up the entire compound, repaired and re-stored all sacred structures and made the first offering in the company of their many fellow-troopers. Troops who sanctified the area are now in the habit of making offerings to the deities on a daily basis.

Courtesy: Army.lk