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The Vavuniya Magistrate Court has issued an order to all government authorities, including the police, that worshippers in the Vedukkunaari area should not be obstructed in any way. The order was issued during the court hearing regarding the vandalism and destruction of Vedukkunaari Athi Lingeshwara Temple idols. The police informed the court that they have been unable to identify the persons responsible for the vandalization, and further investigations are being carried out.
President’s Counsel and MP M. A. Sumanthiran represented the temple administration during the hearing. The police produced photographs of a pooja conducted at the temple as evidence for the lack of obstruction as ordered in previous court hearings. They also requested the hearing to be postponed further as they believe the temple belongs to the Archaeological Department, and they have recruited a President’s Council lawyer to assist them in the case.
The lawyer representing the temple administration argued that the freedom to practise one’s religion is enshrined in articles 10 and 14.1 of the constitution of Sri Lanka, including the worship of a tree or a stone. These practices cannot be prevented by arguing that the tree in a forest, therefore, the Forest Department has jurisdiction over it, or that the stone comes under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Department. He cited Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa as examples where such arguments could prohibit worshipping.
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The court extended the interim order to all government authorities, ensuring that worshippers in the Vedukkunaari area should not be obstructed in any way. The court also ordered the police to release the remains of the vandalised idols and to provide security for future poojas conducted at the temple. The police were also directed to conduct further investigations to identify the unidentified persons that vandalised and destroyed the temple idols.
Furthermore, the court ordered the Archaeological Department to oversee the reconstruction of the destroyed and vandalised idols. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for May 17th.
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