Madhu Feast on a grand scale in August
All plans are afoot to hold the annual feast of Our Lady of Madhu on
a grand scale from August 6, with Senior Presidential Advisor Basil
Rajapaksa MP, personally monitoring the arrangements for the convenience
of pilgrims.
Basil Rajapaksa MP |
A discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday
chaired by Basil Rajapaksa MP with the participation of the Catholic
clergy and Government officials involved in facilitating the Feast
through various channels to evaluate the progress of the preparations
for the occasion. MP Rajapaksa instructed officials to finalise all
pre-arrangements by the end of this month, including the upgrading of
infrastructure facilities with the provision of other amenities to cater
to the large number of devotees expected at this year’s feast.
The feast will last for 10 days from August 6 to 15. Around 500,000
devotees are expected at this year’s Feast. “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
Madhu’ in a liberated nation,” Rajapaksa said.
He recalled that the previous annual Feast was held with difficulties
with the fullest cooperation of the Security Forces that pushed back
terrorists from the precincts of the church and the area surrounding the
Madhu Shrine. “Our utmost concern is to complete the process of demining
in an encircled area of one Km radius centering the Madhu Church by the
end of this month.
“The terrorists have highly mined the surrounding areas of the church
premises and have planted other explosives while withdrawing from the
area,” Rajapaksa said.
He added that up to now demining teams have unearthed 280
anti-personnel mines and 62 unexploded RPGs and mortar bombs.
“We have called all demining teams which also serve in the other
parts of the region to engage in demining in this area,” he added.
MP Rajapaksa calling for updates on the ongoing face lifting process
in the area, requested all Government institutions to work in
collaboration to make this event a success. He also provided across the
table solutions to some parties who brought up several issues that
needed to be addressed to streamline targets on deadline.
Accordingly, the upgrading of road systems, providing water
sanitation, medical and accommodation facilities to the large number of
devotees arriving for the 10 day long Feast were brought to notice of
the officials participating at the discussion.
The Government has estimated Rs. 110 million to upgrade the road
system including the by- roads that to lead to the Madhu Church.
Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph said, “Sri Lankans irrespective of race,
religion or ethnicity arrive for this annual feast to pay homage to the
‘Our Lady of Madhu Shrine’, the first post-war Feast and the
contribution of every single parity to make this event is highly
appreciated”.
The meeting was attended by Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services
Minister Rishard Bathiyutheen, Deputy Fisheries Minister Neomal Perera,
Parliamentarians Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena and John Amaratunga and
several other Ministers and Government officials including the
Government Agent of Mannar. |