7 arrested for attack on Maha Bodhi Society

Seven Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam cadres were arrested on Thursday in connection with the attack on the Maha Bodhi Society on Kennet Lane in Egmore on Monday.

The arrested, David Periyar (30) of Kancheepuram, Ravikumar (30) of Siruseri, Baskar (32) of Ponneri, Surender alias Nathigan (25), Appu (30) of Mylapore and Sugumar (37) and Sampath (32) of Royapettah, were later remanded in judicial custody.

The police had collected CCTV footage from a few restaurants and hotels on Kennet Lane to identify those responsible for the attack in which Buddhist monks Samitha Thero (27), Bigu Maithri (55), Vajra Thero (70) and Sunatha Bandan Sunitha Pandaro (55) were injured.

Meanwhile on Thursday, Deputy High Commissioner Vadivel Krishnamoorthy told TOI that the 63rd Sri Lankan independence day would be celebrated as usual in the city on February 8 despite intelligence inputs that miscreants could try to mar the celebrations and also despite the attack on the Maha Bodhi Society.

A special ceremony would be held at the Mahabodhi Society on February 5 followed by a cultural show on February 8 along side an official reception for the diplomatic corps and others in the city.

The celebrations, he said, would begin with religious ceremonies at the Deputy High Commission office. Sri Lankans living in Tamil Nadu would be invited along with members of the clergy, members of academic institutes and those Sri Lankan refugees living in Tamil Nadu. Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine would be served.

Krishnamoorthy said the focus this year would be on peace, development and reconciliation in the post-war era.

Begun in 2001 by the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, the Independence Day celebrations in Chennai, he said, had grown in importance. The event aimed at promoting harmony, friendship and mutual cooperation between South Indians and Sri Lankans.

The state government has been providing round-the-clock security at all Sri Lankan establishments in the city since Monday, TOI reports.