Army gives green-light for Madu festival

The Army has given the green -light to conduct this year’s Madhu church festival in August, the Army announced today.

The approval was given on Monday evening after the completion of the total removal of LTTE landmines and booby traps from the area, the army said. 

The matter was discussed at the Security Coordinating meeting at the Security Forces' Headquarters, Wanni, presided over by Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni and was attended by Deputy Inspector General of Police for Mannar L.I.C. Perera, and respective Division and Brigade Commanders in those areas. 

”Army Engineers and de-mining teams for more than a year were busy clearing the Madhu Shrine premises and its surroundings of LTTE buried landmines, booby traps and other explosive devices after the area was brought under the troops some time back”, the army said. 

Major General Jayasuriya giving mine-free clearance assurance told the meeting that this year’s annual festival would draw record numbers of southern pilgrims, in view of the normalcy prevailing in the area. Those devotees should be able to do their prayers as they wished, free from fear or any inconvenience, Major General Jayasuriya underlined. 

Area police stations in coordination with their superiors and military authorities are expected to finalize security arrangements, needed to be put in place once the holy festival begins. Police were also advised to liaise with Madhu Shrine clergy before implementation of intended security measures.