Offerings to God, no monkey business

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr.

Pilgrims flocking to the reputed Kataragama Devalaya seeking the blessings of deities have to undergo an ordeal trying to protect their pooja vatti (offerings) from rampaging monkeys in the shrine premises.

The monkeys have invaded the Kataragama shrine area and its neighbourhood causing untold hardships to residents and pilgrims. A spokesman for the Kataragama Devalaya told the Daily News that these monkeys damage the roof of the Devalaya and the surrounding Devalayas.

They are also playing with the electrical wiring system and the structures constructed to place the oil lamps.

He said that the monkeys jump upon pilgrims to grab the Pooja vattis (offerings). Residents said these monkeys also cause extensive damage to the TV antennas.