

UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena has sought permission from Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rakapaksa to visit Madhu later this month. In a letter to the Defence Secretary, Jayawardena said that he intended to stay at Madhu for his annual retreat as he did during the past 20 years.
Last week, army headquarters invited Bishop of Mannar Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph to take over the shrine close on the heels of the return of the statue of the Our Lady of Madhu to the government-held area.