Chief Priest of Koneshwaram Kovil shot dead

TRINCOMALEE: Suspected LTTE gunmen yesterday shot dead the Chief Priest of the historic Koneshwaram Kovil of Trincomalee.

Shiv Shri Kugaraja, 43, was killed around 6 p.m. while riding his motorcycle in Trincomalee by gunmen who came on a motorcycle. The priest maintained a close rapport with the Security Forces which may have led to the shooting, military sources said. Police found two bullet wounds on his face and skull.

The shooting took place along Viththiyalayam Road. The world famous Koneshvaram Temple is located inside Trincomalee's Fort Frederick. He had been the chief priest of the Temple for the last five years and had returned to Sri Lanka after a short visit to India a few days ago.