In a special meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat presided by Hon. Basil Rajapaksha directed by President Mahinda Rajapaksha, conveyed that the pilgrims will be allowed to go for the Madhu festival to be held from 6th-15th Aug. His Lordship Bishop Rayappu Joseph-Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Fr. Emillianaspillai-former Administrator of the Madhu Shrine, Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando-Director of Caritas Sri Lanka, Rev. Fr. Sunil De Silva-Secretary to the Archbishop, Fr. Anthony Pinto-Provincial of Salesians, Fr. Srinath Manoj-Deputy Procurator General and Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Bathiyutheen, Deputy Fisheries Minister Neomal Perera, Parliamentarians Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena and John Amaratunga and several other Government Ministers, Security Personnel, UNP MPs, Government Agent of Mannar heads of various Departments were present for the meeting.
After the consultations with His Lordship Bishop Rayappu Joseph, Basil Rajapaksha-Senior Adviser to the President said the Madhu Festival will be held from 06th August to 15th August 2009. Bishop Rayappu informed that the with the hoisitng of the flag staff, daily Novenas will be conducted.
Due to security concerns, it was proposed that the pilgrims will be allowed to travel from 6th August to 11th Aug, but they will have to leave the Shrine premises after the Novena in the evening. From 12th August to 17th August, pilgrims will be allowed to stay overnight in the Shrine and participate in the religious services.
Basil Rajapaksha said “We are grateful to our heroic Forces for their great sacrifices to liberate this country entirely from the clutches of terrorism. As a result, we are today able to hold the annual feast of ‘Our Lady of Madhu’ in a liberated nation”
The attention was drawn for the smooth travelling of the pilgrims to pass through the check points of Medawachchiya and Madhu Road. Basil Rajapaksha informed that the special instructions will be given to the pilgrims after the consultations with the Ministry of Defence.
Pilgrims will be allowed to travel in their own vehicles, provided that they inform the local police station and bring 03 lists of people travelling in the vehicle. However Basil Rajapaksha these suggestions and matters regarding to the security checkinmg will be further discussed with the Ministry of Defence.
Major Deepal Alwis speaking on behalf of the Government Security personnel said that the Army has started demining the an encircled area of one Km radius centering the Madhu Shrine and has cleared one km distance and found 280 mines and 62 unexploded heavy landmines. Therefore the pilgrims will be restricted to this 01km distance around the shrine, until the demining fully completed in the coming years. Pilgrims will be strongly advised to not to go into the uncleared areas and boards and notices will be displayed around the area. Security personnel will be kept around the area for the security of the shrine and the pilgrims are expected to coordinate and follow the instructions.
Hon. Basil Rajapaksha also instructed varirous heads of departed to attend to the work to provide maximus facilities for the pilgrims. Heads of the departments including those in charge of Electricity, Water, food supply,sanitation facilities and road development, were
present at the meeting.
Basil Rajapaksha informed that the Government has estimated Rs. 110 million to develop the road system including the by- roads that to lead to the Madhu Church and the roads inside the Shrine area.
His Lordship Bishop Rayappu Joseph said, " we are very thankful to His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksha, Hon. Basil Rajapaksha for the assistance given to hold the Madhu Festival where pilgrims gather from North to South and East to West as people belonging to one family. We are also thankful to all the Ministers, Security Personnel, representatives of the opposition, government officials and all others present at the meeting."
With regard to the food supply and constructing stalls, Basil Rajapaksha requested the Shrine Administration to follow their procedure in coordination with the GA Mannar.
Caritas Sri Lanka and Don Bosco assured to supply water bowsers, to help in the supply of food and attend to the immediate electric repairs in the shrine.
Besides the Bishop's House, Mannar and the Madhu Shrine office, SEDEC Office also will help to provide information needed to the pilgrims.
