President Rajapaksa pays homage to Madhu Church after three decades of absence

President Rajapaksa pays homage to Madhu Church after three decades of absence By Janaka Alahapperuma Dec 10, 2009
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Madhu Church in Mannar and breaks the three decades absence of the Head of Sri Lankan State to the Catholic Holy Shrine on 9th December 2009. He paid homage to the Madhu Matha on his way back to Colombo after unveiling the victory monument for the valiant war heroes in Nandikadal lagoon at Pudumathalan. President met the religious dignitaries of the holy church and a special religious ceremony was conducted by the Mannar Bishop Rev Rayappu Joseph to bless the President. A picture of Madhu Matha was presented to the President by the Bishop for a token of appreciation for liberating the area from the clutches of terrorism. A Large number of devotees and local crowds gathered at the Church premises to welcome the President. President also talked to the people who were temporally sheltering in the area until they could go back to their own villages form the resettlement programme conduct by the Sri Lankan government. Pix by: Sudath Silva