A priest attached to Ambankulam Hindu temple in Kilinochchi had been hacked to death by an unknown person last evening, the police said.
The 69-year-old victim named Samodaram Pillai Manoharan was found lying on the ground by his son who had informed the police.
Deep wounds were visible on the victims head being made by a sharp object. The body is kept at the Mortuary of the Kilinochchi Hospital.
The motive behind the killing is yet to be ascertained. Kilinochchi Police are conducting investigations.