Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s security detail violated regulations of the Maviddapuram Kandaswamy Hindu temple during her visit on Friday, 11 April. This occurred during the temple’s first Kumbabishekam (inauguration) pooja as some of her aides and Sri Lankan military personnel in combat gear entered the temple's hallowed precincts - it is mandatory for all males to remove upper body garments and for everyone to go barefoot.
Tight security ahead of the visit included armed forces deployed at the temple from the early hours of the morning before her arrival, subjecting devotees to body checks and restrictions, creating fear and confusion. It was only after the chief priests of the temple sent a letter of complaint to the Prime Minister’s Office that the intrusive security measures ceased.
In their letter to the Prime Minister’s Office, the temple priests expressed their discomfort at the behaviour of the security personnel and the disruption caused to the sacred event. No formal apology has been issued by the Prime Minister’s security detail for their conduct during the pooja.
Maviddapuram Kandaswamy temple, located in the northern Valikamam region, has a long and painful history, especially during the armed conflict. The region was declared a High Security Zone by Sri Lanka, and all residents, including the temple’s priests, were expelled by the Sri Lankan military. The temple itself was bombed, and its sacred artefacts looted. It is only after the end of the conflict that restrictions on access to the area were somewhat relaxed, allowing priests and worshippers to return to the temple.
The Kumbabishekam pooja, held this past Friday, marked a historic return for the temple after 50 years. Yet, the insensitivity shown by the Prime Minister’s security detail during this holy event left devotees and priests feeling deeply uncomfortable and insulted.
