Source: TamilNet
SRI LANKA, May 26, 2002: The Federation of Hindu Temples in Batticaloa and Amparai said Sunday that the Sri Lankan security forces in the region continue to encompass more than 15 places of worship in the two districts within the defense perimeters of their camps. The trustee boards of fourteen Hindu temples in Batticaloa and Amparai complained to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Saturday that their precincts and environs are still occupied by Sri Lankan security forces. “We have been complaining to the authorities about this for a long time. But to this day we have had no indication that the army and Police intend to leave our temples,” said Mr. Pakkiyaselvam Ariyaneththiran, the spokesman for the Federation. For many years during the long civil war Sri Lankan forces have occupied Hindu temples.