29.7.2008

The security forces have requested the Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Dr Rayappu Joseph to resume custody of the most sacred Madu Shrine on total completion of repairs and the renovation of the Church which was carried out by the Army.

The church has been provided with supplies of water, electricity and other sanitary facilities.

The Army has also cleared one square kilometer of land surrounding the shrine of landmines, the Media Center for National Security announced. The terrorists had booby-trapped the area on their withdrawal from the premises.

Sri Lanka Army liberated the Madhu Shrine on the 25th of April from the grip fo the LTTE, and the church was damaged due to the artillery firing of the withdrawing LTTE carders.

The Catholic shrine is held sacred and respected by all Sri Lankans irrespective of religion and ethnicity. Thousands of pilgrims used to visit the shrine, especially during the church feast in August, before terrorists took control of the area in 1999.

The Army Engineer troops, consequent to instructions from the Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, undertook to repair the holy church at a cost of Rs1.5 million, allocated from the Army budget.

Last Tuesday (22) the 'Our Lady of Madu' statue was brought back to the Mannar Bishop's house after an informal discussion Major General Jagath Jayasuriya had with Rt Rev. Dr Rayappu Joseph the previous day.