CHARITY TOWARDS SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF MADHU BY THE ARMY

The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic Marian Shrine located in Mannar district of Sri Lanka. The history of this scared church runs over 400 years and yet keeps noble mark in the hearts of thousands of pilgrims representing the Sri Lankan Catholic community visiting annually to homage the Lady of Madhu. The Madhu is one of the holiest Catholic shrines in the island and is a well-known place of devotion for both Tamil and Sinhalese Catholics.

During three decades of war period Madhu Church was under terrorist threats and all sacred religious events were not being organised at church. After releasing the area belongs to Madhu Church, Security Forces stepped forward to facilitate thousands of Catholics to visit the church and pay their homage in peaceful atmosphere.

Since then, Christmas festivals and related religious activities, the annual feast, Easter Day masses, and other special masses are being organised with the fullest support of the Army.

As the Lady Madhu Church is located in Wanni region, troops under Security Force (Wanni) constantly engaged in number of charitable events and reconciliation programmes with Tamil and Sinhala Catholic Community annually. Security Force (Wanni) has already made its contribution under the direct supervision of Commander Security Force (Wanni) for renovations of the Church implementing adequate Security measures, and etc.

In that context, Security Force Headquarters (Wanni) taken every steps to ensure Security of the Church and devotees while maintaining the development of the Church with the instruction of Commander of the Army. Major General Kumudu Perera RWP RSP VSV USP ndu during his tenure as the former Commander Security Force (Wanni). Currently, these procedures are being continued under the careful supervision of present Commander of Security Force (Wanni) Major General Jagath Gunawardena RSP VSV USP ndc psc.

Army has recently joined hands with sacred Madhu Church especially in constructing a perimeter fence covering a larg area as a mega project, consecration of a statue and pedestal, organising Easter Day masses and other special events by shouldering heavy work as well as considering the priority of providing security for all religious evens at the Church premises.

After the Easter Day bomb attacks on 21 April 2019, Security Force (Wanni) was tightened the Security Measures of Sacred Madhu Church under a detailed planning by Commander security Force (Wannni) and provided all required assistance to conduct masses without any hindrance to routine activities of the Church.

This year Feast was too held with the presence of thousands of Catholics gathered during the period and well over 340000 estimated participation of devotes were there at the Church premises for the main feast on 15 August 2019. A very tight security measures has been implemented through out the period, to enhance security for the pilgrims by Security Force (Wanni) under the direct supervision of Commander Security Force Wanni, Major General HJS Gunawardena RSP VSV USP ndc psc.

The Commander 613 Brigade Colonel RKNC Jayawardane RSP carried out the security plan under the guidance and supervision of General Officer Commanding of 61 Division Major General RKGS Katekumbura RSP.