Many devotees who visit Kataragama for its festival season stray because they get involved in gambling at one of about 10 locations that organize gambling for devotees, residents of the area said. Hundreds of devotees participate in gambling instead of visiting Kirivehera and Kataragama shrine, they said.
Matara, Tangalle Deputy DIG Vijitha Gunaratne said the police officers were instructed to take firm actions against the organisers of these gambling dens and participants in them.
The residents, however, say the gambling dens still operate without any hindrance.