Chief Priest of Koa'neasvaram Temple assassinated in Trincomalee

Chief Priest of Koa'neasvaram Temple assassinated in Trincomalee

Sunday, 21 September 2008, 14:33 GMT

Unidentified armed men shot and killed the Chief Priest of the historic Trincomalee Koa'neasvaram Temple, Sivashri Kugarajakurrukal, Sunday around 6:00 p.m. The killing took place along Viththiyalayam Road located in the heart of Trincomalee city. The deceased had been riding in his motorbike when he was shot by assassin who also came in a motor bicycle, police said. The priest had returned from India four days ago, temple sources said.

Two bullets struck on priest's head and he died instantly.

Koa'nesvaram Temple is located inside the Fort Frederick where the Trincomalee Government Agent's officie and the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army have been functioning.

Sivashri Kugarajakurrukal had been the chief priest of the Koa'nesvaram Temple for the last five years.

Grenade attack on UNP candidate's residence in Batticaloa

Sunday, 21 September 2008, 09:02 GMT.

Unidentified attackers lobbed a grenade into the house of a Tamil candidate of the United National Party (UNP) for the second time, Kalkudaa police said. The UNP member, Jehan Arumugam, 27, said he has been threatening telephone calls from the TMVP paramilitary from May, 2008, when Eastern provincial council elections were held. The attack on Saturday took place around 11:00 p.m. No body was injured.

Earlier, on 18 May, two grenades were lobbed on his house, which is located along Kalkudaa main road.

Mr. Jehan had complained, already during the election campaign, that he has been receiving threatening telephone calls from TMVP personnel.