Pilgrims attending the annual Madhu festival will be allowed free access this year.
This was disclosed at a discussion chaired by Mannar Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph who said State support has been assured by the Government.
The meeting was held on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Bishop’s House in Mannar, where Galle Bishop Rt. Rev. Harold Anthony, Minister Dayasritha Tissera, deputy minister Sarath Gunaratne, chairman Sumal Tissera and District Secretary Nicholas Pillai were also present.
There discussions centered around providing sanitary facilities, security and housing, etc., required by pilgrims.
Madhu, a national shrine in the Wanni, dedicated to Our Lady was a popular place of pilgrimage three decades ago when any devotee could participate in the feasts conducted there. Pilgrims gathered as families and spent about a week attending to religious exercises.
Now after a lapse of 30 years, pilgrims could enjoy all such facilities again, just as they did earlier when there was no conflict. |
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