News
No Pongal temple rites; pray at home, Hindus told
Religious festivals in the north were brought to a halt this week with the threat of coronavirus.
The Nainativu (Nagadeepa) Nagapoosani Amman Temple Trustee announced that all special poojas were cancelled until further notice.
Normally, every Monday during the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April), special Pongal prayers are held in the temples, especially at the Panrithalaichi Amman Kovil in Madduvil, Chavakacheri, and the Vatrapalai Kannaki Amman Kovil in Mullaitivu.
Thousands of devotees gather at both temples on Mondays but this year the management of both temples instructed worshippers not to attend.
Keerimalai is the sacred place for Sri Lankan Hindus to mark a relative’s last rites (Anthiyetti). This week, the Keerimalai Anthiyetti Mada Trustee announced that Anthiyetti ceremonies would be suspended in Keerimalai’s sacred water area.
Hindus have been asked to pray at home.
In Jaffna, the Chamber of Commerce decided that shops shorten trading hours, with doors closing at 2.30 p.m.
In Mullaitivu, the District Regional Director of Health Services said drugs would be delivered to the homes of clinic patients.
Private bus operators in the north decided to reduce daily services from 80 to 20.
Fishermen from outside the Mullaitivu area are to return to their own regions, the Mullaitivu Government Agent decided, following consultation with Aquatic Resources Department officers, health authorities and fishermen’s organisations.