Civilians Fear On Annual Pilgrimage To Kadirgamam Temple

by Nesan Shankar Raji

(July 12, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The annual pilgrimage to the Kadirgamam Temple is a traditional pilgrimage for many tens of thousands of Tamils in Sri Lanka. It is estimated that annually over 100,000 pilgrims visit the Kadirgamam Temple during this time of year. It is unfortunate to note that due to the presence of the armed TMVP cadres in the area, who openly carry their weapons and also the presence of cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ordinary civilians fear going this years annual Kadirgamam pilgrimage.

Tens of thousands of innocent civilians who want to visit the Kadirgamam Temple are being prevented from doing so for fear of either being recruited by the TMVP or the LTTE. There is also the fear amongst the innocent civilians of a possible act of terrorism committed by the LTTE against the Governments Armed Forces in the area or against the TMVP, a breakaway faction of the LTTE.

Given this situation it is said that only the elderly will make an effort and go on the annual pilgrimage to the Kadirgamam Temple, bringing the number of pilgrims down from over 100,000 down to an estimated 30,000. Young teenagers fear going on the pilgrimage for fear of being recruited by the LTTE or the TMVP who have a strong presence in the area. Parents of girls who have reached puberty too fear sending their daughters, as there have been many instances of abductions and rape of innocent young Tamil girls in the East.

It is unfortunate that peace loving Tamils, who have nothing to do with the Army, the LTTE, TMVP etc are unable to go on this annual pilgrimage to Kadirgamam Temple due to the uncertainty and escalating violence and killings. This bloody ethnic conflict that has lasted decades has never subsided and given the ongoing military operations between the Governments Armed Forces in liberating the North and the acts of terrorism committed by the LTTE, ultimately our people are the scapegoats.

Pilgrims wanting to visit Kadirgamam Temple whose only peace or solace is this pilgrimage are being denied this. The Government of Sri Lanka, Armed Forces, the LTTE and all other armed groups owe it to peace loving Sri Lankan’ s to allow these innocent civilians to go on this annual pilgrimage in peace without any hindrances, threats or violations against humanity.
( The Writer is a Senior Leader, and Spokesman of the EROS )
- Sri Lanka Guardian