A Buddhist worship service was held at the Mannar Mathota Raja Maha Viharaya, last Tuesday to "exterminate COVID-19" in Sri Lanka.
The ritual, led by the chief Buddhist Thero in Thiruketheeswaram, was held with seven consecutive days of worship.
Major General Indrajith Bandara, Mannar District Government Agent Stanley De Mel and Mannar Divisional Secretary were among those that participated in the event.
Earlier this month, Sri Lankan police detained and threatened two Hindu priests in Mullaitivu for privately carrying out daily prayers at the temple, despite the island's coronavirus guidance allowing worship without public attendance.
In the North-East the militarised COVID-19 response has seen increased incidents of intimidation, surveillance and harassment of Tamils. Many human rights advocates fear that state forces have used the virus as a guise to target, harass and surveil Tamil communities, while remaining ignorant to actual perpetrators disregarding coronavirus guidelines.
