TAMIL CATHOLIC community in Atchuveli area hereafter will be able to attend the Sunday Mass and other rituals at the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception since it was handed back to Jaffna Catholic Church by the Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna SFHQ (J) on 31ST May after about twenty years.
Providing equality to all religions in Jaffna SFHQ (J), under the guidance of Jaffna Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe made necessary arrangements to renovate and inaugurate 600 year old Dutch-built church for religious rites with a view to paving way for devotees in the area to continue with their spiritual activities.
The church, best known as St. Mary’s church, Ottahapulan situated in Palaly – Atchuveli road in the HSZ, had been left abandoned due to LTTE activities since 1990. Buildings and most of its parts including the Altar, Holy Cross, statues and the main church hall had badly been damaged and the church was disappearing into the jungle when the request came to the SFHQ(J) from the Catholic Church seeking possibilities to reopen it for religious performance.
Honouring the request of the Church, Army troops based in the vicinity renovated the church and brought it back to former condition with great effort under the supervision of Brigadier General Staff SFHQ(J) Brig B.C.J.A.F Rodrigo, who personally got involved in bringing down most needed church accessories" statues, furniture and costumes from Colombo.
Re-opening was scheduled for the church feast day. During the opening ceremony, SF-Commander handed over the key of the church to Rev. Fr. Dr. Justin B. Gnanapragasam, Vicar General Jaffna who represented Jaffna Bishop. General Officer Commanding 52 Division Brigadier Lal Perera, Brigadier General Staff SFHQ(J) Brig. B.C.J.A.F Rodrigo and other Senior Officers present made offerings during the prayers.
A large group of priests, nuns, Army personnel and over 1000 devotees of Catholic faith attended the feast mass.
Religious reawakening, irrespective their beliefs, to heal broken spirits of the people in Jaffna which was once a worst effected was zone was one aspect of the Civil-Military Coordinating affairs being carried out by the SFHQ(J) for public welfare.
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