06 July 2009

Sri Lanka - New air route to facilitate quicker access to Madhu

6th July 2009, news.lk & Daily News

In view of the forthcoming Madhu feast, the Ministry of Defence will explore the possibility of facilitating access to devotees visiting the Madhu shrine via air route deploying Sri Lanka Air Force flights, according to newspaper reports.

The Island reported today that Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has expressed hope the new move will ‘compel private sector airline operators to revise their existing fare structure.’

Meanwhile the Air Force Spokesperson, Janaka Nanayakkara has clarified that the elongated route adopted earlier over the sea to Palaly to avoid LTTE missiles can now be changed, considerably shortening the journey.

Madhu Church in the Mannar District has a history of over 400 years, and had been a hallowed place of worship for Catholics of Sri Lanka. August 15th festival draws biggest crowds because it is one of the most hallowed days for Catholics celebrating the day of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, into heaven and also because the school holidays facilitate entire families to make the trip. There had been occasions when attendance at August festival at times touching close to a million people.

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