Over 150 Suffer Eye Injuries After Jaffna Temple Festival as Police Probe High-Powered Lamps

At least 157 people, including 55 children, have received medical treatment at Jaffna Teaching Hospital after suffering painful eye injuries in the aftermath of a temple festival in the northern peninsula, raising serious public safety concerns over the use of high-powered lighting equipment at religious gatherings.

Victims Flood Jaffna Teaching Hospital

The injured, who complained of severe eye discomfort and vision-related symptoms, were brought to the hospital following the festival event. Among those affected, the significant number of children has drawn particular concern from health authorities and the wider public. Medical staff at Jaffna Teaching Hospital attended to all 157 patients who presented with eye complaints linked to the incident.

Police Move to Seize High-Powered Lamps

Authorities have pointed to the use of high-powered lamps during the festival as the likely cause of the mass eye injuries. Police launched an investigation into the matter and moved to seize the high-powered lighting equipment believed to be responsible for the harm caused to festival-goers.

The intense light emitted by such industrial-grade or high-wattage lamps can cause a condition known as photokeratitis — sometimes referred to as flash blindness or arc eye — which results in inflammation of the cornea and can cause significant pain, redness, and temporary vision impairment.

Safety at Religious Festivals Under Scrutiny

The incident has sparked fresh debate about the regulation of equipment used at public gatherings, particularly large-scale religious and cultural festivals that draw thousands of devotees, including families with young children.

• 157 individuals treated at Jaffna Teaching Hospital
• 55 of those affected were children
• High-powered lamps used at the festival are believed to be the cause
• Police have seized the lamps as part of an ongoing investigation

Community leaders and health officials are urging organisers of future festivals to exercise greater caution when selecting lighting and other equipment for public events, and to ensure that adequate safety assessments are carried out beforehand.

The wellbeing of worshippers and festival-goers must always take priority. Events of this scale require proper safety planning, particularly when powerful equipment is being used in close proximity to large crowds.

Investigations by police are continuing, and authorities are expected to determine whether any negligence was involved in the procurement or use of the lamps at the festival. It remains unclear at this stage whether any charges will be filed in connection with the incident.

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