Pilgrims now free to visit Madhu shrine in Sri Lanka
(January 21, 2010) The Madhu Marian shrine, the most celebrated in Sri Lanka, has
been declared open to all once more, after completion of demining in the surrounding
area. The Defence Ministry on January 12 allowed unrestricted access to the shrine
in the north of the country, which means pilgrims will once again be allowed to stay
overnight at the site. “There is no danger to those devotees visiting the Madhu shrine,”
said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakara. However, security measures in
the area would remain. Father Barnabas Fred Desmond Culas, the administrator of the
shrine, said Church leaders’ pleas had been answered. The 400-year-old shrine is in
Mannar diocese and venerated by millions of people from different religions. During
the country’s 26-year civil war it was shelled many times, in some instances killing
pilgrims. Statues were removed from the site for safekeeping, services suspended and
pilgrimages forbidden. The government opened the shrine last August for the feast
of the Assumption but with limited access to areas where demining was in progress.
Despite the good news, Father Culas faces new challenges. He said he is struggling
to open facilities at the shrine due to a lack of manpower to run shops, restaurants
and additional church services such as providing electricity, water, health and sanitary
facilities for pilgrims. Until now, only three nuns and five workers have been allowed
to remain on site. The priest says he has been in touch with the bishop of Mannar
to request more priests and helpers to serve pilgrims.