2ND LEAD (Correction)

Second group of Jaffna pilgrims arrive in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 November 2006, 16:43 GMT]
A second group of 287 Jaffna residents who were stranded in Madhu church since August 15 while they were on a pilgrimage, was brought from Mannar to Trincomalee in five buses Tuesday evening, sources in Trincomalee said. They are temporarily staying in Trincomalee Vipulananda Vidiyalayam to leave by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) vessel to KKS port Wednesday morning, sources said.

About one thousand Jaffna pilgrims went to Madhu church in Mannar district through A9 highway to attend the August feast.

The pilgrims got stranded after the feast was over due to the closure of all entry and exit points from LTTE held areas to government controlled areas in Mannar district.

The trapped pilgrims were able to return to the government-controlled area in Mannar only two weeks ago and were staying in Vankalai and Pesalai public buildings.

First group of about 300 pilgrims were sent from Trincomalee port to KKS port two days earlier.

Chronology: