Bishop says pilgrims not expected at Madhu as no fesitival this year

(August 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Bishop of Mannar Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph on Thursday said they do not expect pilgrims at the Madhu church next week as the traditional August festival will not be held.

The Bishop in a statement said that the feast was not being held since Madhu has not been called a “No Conflict Zone” either by the Government or the LTTE, Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, the Bishop of Mannar said.

However Minister Milroy Fernando told Parliament on Wednesday that the government will be issuing a pass for those travelling to Madhu for the annual festival.

Accordingly many Catholic pilgrims have been making arrangements since Wednesday, but the Bishop explained that there were no facilities to accommodate the pilgrims and the church needs to be repaired. The Church administration took over only on Wednesday.
- Sri Lanka Guardian