KARAITHIVU, Sri Lanka — Hindu organizations from Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces have called on the government to formally recognize the historic Kathirgamam (Kataragama) pilgrimage route as a sacred pilgrimage, urging authorities to issue a gazette notification granting it official status.
The appeal was made during a meeting held on Saturday at the Swami Vipulananda Memorial Hall in Karaithivu, where government officials and religious representatives gathered to discuss the future of the route.
Participants included regional administrators, local government representatives and members of Hindu religious organizations, reflecting broad institutional support for the proposal.
Representatives from temples and Hindu groups stretching from Selva Sannithi Murugan in the north to Ugantai in the south attended the discussion, presenting their views on the cultural and spiritual significance of the pilgrimage path.
The participants unanimously endorsed the proposal, calling for immediate steps to formalize its status through an official government gazette.
Officials said the recommendations would be forwarded through the Ampara District Secretariat to the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, before being submitted to the Cabinet for consideration.
Sri Lanka has formally regulated major pilgrimage traditions such as the Sri Pada route through government gazettes, while sacred sites like Anuradhapura receive protection and international recognition as heritage and religious centers. However, formal recognition of Hindu pilgrimage routes within the country remains limited.
Experts say that granting official status to the Kataragama route could bring a range of benefits, including improved infrastructure for pilgrims, legal safeguards against encroachment, and greater state support for preservation. It could also enhance the route’s visibility and attract both domestic and international visitors.
The meeting was chaired by S. Jegarajan, the Additional Government Agent of Ampara District, and coordinated by K. Jeyaraji, the district’s Hindu Cultural Affairs Officer.
