At least 385 people have been admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital with eye injuries sustained at a temple festival in the Pandatharippu area of Jaffna, the hospital’s director said on Friday night — more than double the figure reported earlier in the day.
The injuries followed a festival held on Thursday (20) at a Murugan temple in Piranpatru, in the Sandilipay divisional secretariat area. Patients presented with eye pain, irritation and difficulty opening their eyes.
Admissions rose sharply through Friday. Daily Mirror reported 157 admissions at 5.07pm, citing Jaffna Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Sathyamoorthy — 58 men, 44 women and 55 children. Ada Derana’s Tamil service put the figure at 235 by 6.18pm, reporting that a special bus had been sent to bring the affected to hospital, and at 385 by 10.05pm. It said a high proportion of those affected were children and women.
Accounts of the cause differ
The two newsrooms describe the cause differently. Daily Mirror attributed the injuries to excessively bright electric lights used as decorations on the temple premises. Ada Derana Tamil reported that heavy fireworks were set off during the festival and that high-powered laser beams were used during a musical performance, and that both contributed to the eye damage.
Police have removed a number of high-powered, Chinese-manufactured electric lights that had been installed at the temple premises, according to Ada Derana Tamil. The seized lights are undergoing examination to establish their power output, their suitability for use, and whether they are approved or prohibited for public use.
The Jaffna District Secretary and the Sandilipay Divisional Secretary have advised anyone who attended the temple on Thursday to go to Jaffna Teaching Hospital for an eye examination.
No verified newsroom has yet reported the severity or prognosis of the injuries, and no arrests have been announced.
