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.