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| Wednesday, 6 August 2003 |
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LTTE to assist Madhu pilgrims by Anton Gunasekera The LTTE high command has given a firm assurance to the Bishop of Mannar Rev.Dr.Rayuppu Joseph that its cadres have been instructed to render every possible assistance to the needs and exigencies of an estimated 350,000 pilgrim devotees who will be heading for their annual festival of Our Lady of Madhu on August 15. This was revealed at a conference held last weekend in Vavunia, presided over by the Bishop of Mannar which included Army and Police top brass headed by DIG Wanni Region Mahinda Beddewela and Wanni Security forces commander Major Chandrapala. DIG Beddewela told the Daily News of the Bishop's proposal to set a contingency plan as an emergency measure to ensure the safety of pilgrims. He had already notified all police stations under his purview in the Wanni to immediately arrange for the deployment of adequate personnel for day and night patrolling of the main highway from Anuradhapura to Mannar and all other by roads leading to the sylvan shrine of Madhu.' They have been asked to provide whatever assistance possible for breakdown in the pilgrim transport, if at all, provide escort to any group of pilgrims in distress upto the point at which the next police station will take over. Pilgrims have also been asked to carry their National ID cards with them. The Bishop had also informed the conference that the LTTE high command had been earnestly requested by him to abide by the MOU, now in force, to create further confidence among all communities of their cherished desire to restore permanent peace in the conflict areas. The LTTE had not only given the bishop a firm assurance to that effect, but had also specifically stated that its Madhu area leadership and cadres would be instructed to demonstrate to the church administration and the pilgrims that they would provide maximum protection, attend to their needs and exigencies in a manner that would be appreciated by the nation as a whole. DIG Beddewela said they were fully aware that apart from Roman Catholic pilgrims there was a sizable crowd of Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims who have made this pilgrimage during normal times. It was therefore his fervent hope that this annual national festival would be the harbinger of a more fruitful and cordial relationship between the LTTE cadres at Madhu and the entirety of pilgrims. |
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