Eight individuals, including the chief organizer of the National People’s Power (NPP) in Kayts, were arrested yesterday (26) in connection with the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary at a church in the Kayts area of Jaffna.
According to reports, the arrests followed a formal complaint lodged by the parish priest with the Kayts Police. The complaint alleged that a group had vandalized a statue of the Virgin Mary, valued at approximately Rs. 5 million, which had been installed at the Melinjimunai Narayampathi Matha Church in Kayts.
It is further reported that a large group had held a drinking party in a location adjacent to the church premises on the evening of the same day. The clergy had politely requested the group to leave the area due to their loud and inappropriate behavior.
Our correspondent stated that a confrontation ensued between the group and the priests. Later that night, the group is alleged to have returned to the church premises, where they damaged the statue—originally brought from India—and caused further destruction to other church property.
The eight suspects have reportedly confessed to the incident and appealed to the police for release.
Despite their plea, Kayts Police have produced the suspects before the Kayts Magistrate’s Court.
