Sept 17, Colombo: The Chief Priest of the Sri Bhadra Kali Amman kovil in Munneswaram, Chilaw has announced that the annual animal sacrifice ritual would not take place this year.

The Chief Priest has made the announcement amidst speculation that the kovil was planning on setting a date for the animal sacrifice ritual after the sacred Kapilavastu relics were flown out of the country.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa previously requested the kovil authorities not to hold the animal sacrifice ritual at the kovil during the period the sacred relics were in the country.

The kovil authorities agreed to the request and have now announced that the annual ritual would not take place this year.

The animal sacrifice ritual has been the center of controversy with Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva saying he would not allow the ritual to take place.