GOVERNMENT authorities have assured the security for the pilgrims arriving for the feast of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu as the army and Police have adopted stringent measures to enable pilgrims to pay homage to the Sacred Shrine without fear. The Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, who visited the Madhu Shrine premises on Saturday said that the identity of pilgrims arriving for the festival need to be established through a normal procedure of filling a form which had already been dispatched to all police stations.
“The devotees could obtain these registration forms free of charge from the respective police stations if they plan to visit the holy shrine,” the information department said yesterday.
The festival begins on August 6 and concludes on August 15.
The Governor visited the shrine in order to assess the progress of the ongoing reconstruction and renovation process prior to its annual festival scheduled to commence on August 6.
The Governor held a special discussion with the Catholic clergy in charge of the Madhu shrine and other Government officials to iron out the problems and streamline the renovation process of the shrine and other facilities.
Discussions also focused on taking steps to facilitate the large number of devotees expected for this year’s festival including transportation, sanitation, food and other amenities.
Special transportation services would be provided for the convenience of the pilgrims arriving to pay homage to the holy shrine of Madhu during the feast period.
Measures have been taken to set up a mobile hospital closer to the shrine with the services of a medical staff including physicians.
The Governor Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri said that additional measures would be taken to provide healthcare and sanitation facilities and also agreed to hand over extra ambulances and tents for this purpose.
The renovation process had reached its final stage and the Governor had instructed the officials to complete the other arrangements as soon as possible. (Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
