SHAMANS at a Sri Lankan temple known for helping pilgrims place curses on their enemies went on strike last Thursday (26) after appeals to the lord of destruction failed to resolve a pay dispute.
Seenigama Devale, a shrine on a small islet off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, hosts daily ceremonies in which celebrants guide the grinding of fiery peppers over a millstone. The ritual offering is made to Devol, a deity whose duties involve comforting the faithful and unleashing suffering on their enemies.
But DM Kumara, the temple’s chief shaman, said he and his nine colleagues had halted the ceremonies to protest new rules that sharply cut their earnings. Administrators decreed that Kumara and his colleagues could now only take 30 per cent of the cash and jewellery offerings made to Devol, down from the complete share they took earlier.
All 10 shamans had appealed to the deity to intervene on their behalf, he said, adding that the strike was necessary in the interim. “We have taken our grievance to god Devol, but we are taking direct action because we have not seen immediate results,” he said.
The temple’s interim administrator said the strike was unnecessary because celebrants would still be earning around $1,500 (£1,234) per month, 10 times the average salary of a new employee in the state sector.
Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads guilty to crossbow murders of BBC presenter’s family
A 26-YEAR-OLD man on Wednesday pleaded guilty to murdering two daughters of a BBC sports commentator and stabbing to death their mother in a crossbow attack.
Kyle Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28.
However, appearing via video link at Cambridge Crown Court in eastern England, Clifford changed his pleas.
The court heard that Clifford tied up Louise Hunt, his former partner, binding her arms and ankles with duct tape before shooting her in the chest with a crossbow at the family home last July.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, one count of false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons. However, Clifford denied raping Louise.
The murders took place at the family home in the commuter town of Bushey, near Watford, northwest of London.
Clifford was arrested in July following a manhunt after the bodies of the three women were discovered.
(With inputs from AFP)