A large military presence in Nedunkerny, Vavuniya has prevented worshippers from praying at the Vedukkunaari Lingeswarar Temple, with some locals noting that some idols had been damaged in recent days.
The Archaeological department has banned people from entering the Adi Lingeswarar temple. Locals suspect the Archaeological Department had destroyed and stolen many of the idols within the temple, as some were reported missing. Locals allege that the Sri Lankan military and the Archaeological Department are trying to convert the temple into a Buddhist shrine.