President condoles with family of assassinated Hindu priest  
[Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 8.00 GMT]   

President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent the following Message of Condolence on the occasion of the assassination of Parameshwara Kurukkal, of the Shanthiveli Pillayar Kovil, Batticaloa, who was assassinated by LTTE terrorists yesterday ( Feb 07). Parmeshwara Kurukkal garlanded the President when he visited Vaharai (Feb 03) to meet civilians freed from LTTE control and thank the security forces for liberating the East. 

Following is the text of the message

I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the assassination of Parameshwara Kurukkal, High Priest of the Shanthivelli Pillayar Kovil, Batticaloa, who was cruelly gunned down by LTTE terrorists yesterday. 

All men are equal to members of the clergy who are held in high esteem by all religions; they extend kindness to all persons who come to them. Parameshwara Kurukkal also acted accordingly, irrespective of status. 

When I went to him as the Head of State he invoked divine blessings on me, as he did to all others who came to him, as a clergyman of the Tamil Hindu people.  

As a nation and a government we unequivocally condemn with contempt the assassination of this clergyman carried out by the savage and cruel LTTE
terrorists, who pose as liberators of the Tamil people. 

On this sad occasion, I extend my deepest sympathies to the wife and four children of Parameshwara Kurukkal of the Shanthivelli Pillayar Kovil, Batticaloa, the Kovil trustees, and all his friends and relations grieved by
his sad demise.

Mahinda Rajapaksa
February 08, 2007

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Last Updated Date: February 08, 2007 -8.00 GMT