Gandhi, Vipulananda, Poet Periyathampi, Baden-Powell desecrated in Batticaloa

( April 07, 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vipulananda, Pulavarma'ni Periyathampi-pi'l'lai and Baden-Powell revered by Tamils in Batticaloa, have been desecrated and destroyed in the early hours of Friday. The statues of Gandhi and the founder of Scout Movement Robert Baden-Powell are located near the clock tower in the city centre. Renowned Tamil scholar and Hindu reformer Swami Vipulananda and Tamil Poet Pulavarma'ni Periyathampi Pi'l'lai, both were born in the Eastern Province. All the four statues are located within the perimeters of the high security area manned by the Police and the Army in the city. The latest desecration of statues comes as a result of anti-Indian and anti-western sentiments shown by the occupying Sinhala forces in the East, political observers said.

In January this year, the statue of Swami Vivekananda, well known Indian spiritual leader and Hindu reformist, located in front of a fuel station on Batticaloa–Kalmunai Road was destroyed by a motorbike squad.