President hands over documents declaring Madu Shrine as a 'sacred place'

The documents declaring the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar as a sacred place, was handed over by President Maithripala Sirisena to Mannar Bishop Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando today (Oct 29).

Thousands of local and foreign devotees visit the shrine which is of significant religious importance, during the Madhu Church festival in August every year.

However, the area surrounding the sacred shrine has remained under-developed for a long time since the three-decade long LTTE war, the President's Office said.

Cabinet approval had been granted to develop the area and provide more facilities for devotees, after President Sirisena had put forward a proposal to that effect, citing it as a timely need.

Earlier this month, the Megapolis Ministry issued a gazette declaring 300 acres of the land area surrounding the shrine as an Urban Development Area to carry out development activities.

Accordingly, infrastructure, water, and sanitary facilties for the convenience of devotees visiting the shrine would be developed under this project.

In addition, a 5000-acre land has also been declared as a Protected Area of the Shrine.