India today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Board of Trustees of Thiruketheeswaram Temple Restoration Society, for restoration of the ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The historic temple of Thiruketheeswaram in Mannar, is one of the holiest shrines in Sri Lanka and an important symbol of the island nation’s cultural heritage. The restoration of the revered shrine is symbolic of India’s commitment to assist in the rejuvenation of the social, cultural and spiritual life in the war ravaged Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.

India has agreed to assist in the restoration work to the tune of 13.65 crores rupees. The signing of the MoU today will result in the re-initiation of the restoration work which was being carried out in the years 2005-2006 at the Thiruketheeswaram Temple, but had to be abandoned due to the then prevailing conflict situation.

The MoU signed in Colombo today is pursuant to the Joint Declaration issued during the State Visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in June, 2010, which had welcomed the proposal for restoration of the Thiruketheeswaram Temple at Mannar to be undertaken with the assistance of the Archaeological Survey of India and the College of Architecture and Sculpture, Mamallapuram.

Besides this India has also been supporting projects for rehabilitation, resettlement and well-being of displaced persons in the Northern Province in the areas of shelter (through roofing sheets and cement bags), health-care (providing emergency medical relief, organizing artificial limbs refitment camps and equipping hospitals), livelihood generation (provision of fishing equipment, tractors, agricultural equipment and seeds).

Education (repairs of schools and setting up of vocational training centres) and infrastructure development (restoration of Northern Railway lines, rehabilitation of Palaly Airport and KKS Harbour) are other projects in which India is actively involved.