In an ongoing investigation, the priest of the Athi Lingeswaran temple has once again been summoned by the Nedunkeni police for questioning over the temple's finances.
On May 14th, one of the priests at the temple and his wife were called in for questioning by the Nedunkeni police which lasted for over three hours. During the questioning, the police asked them about the temple's source of funding for the construction of the staircase leading to the temple atop the mountain, as well as the financing of the recently replaced temple idols.
This development comes just days after the priest and one of the temple adminstrators were arrested by the same police and presented before the Vavuniya Magistrate court. The court ruled that individuals who are the plaintiffs of a case cannot be treated as suspects.
In March, the Athi Lingam consecrated to Lord Siva in Vedukkunaari hill in Nedunkeni, Vavuniya was destroyed and discarded in the shrubbery surrounding the temple. Additionally many idols such as the idols of Pillaiyaar, the Mother Goddess Amman, and village deity Bhairavar were stolen from the temple.
Furthermore, the board of directors of the temple has been summoned by the police to be present for the ongoing inquiry on May 15th. The temple administrator, while speaking to reporters, expressed concerns about the nature of the investigation.
They stated: "There is only an investigation being carried out against us. The police have not investigated the individuals responsible for the destruction and vandalism of the temple, nor have they made any arrests in connection with the incident."
