French military advisor visits Madhu

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 May 1999, 21:07 GMT]
A French Military Advisor visited Madhu Church today and had discussions with the Church administrator, sources said. He had gone there with two Sri Lankan Army (SLA) military officials from Vavuniya.

The Military Advisor had been keen to know about the difficulties the church is facing by the presence of the SLA camp in its holy area.

Sources said that the Church administrator had told the French official that the presence of SLA in 400 acres of land surrounding the church will be a hindrance to the pilgrims who are expected to come to Madhu Church in large number this year on July 2nd and August 15th for the Madhu feast.

Meanwhile sources in Madhu and Thantchanamaruthamadhu said that parents of 3 youths who had been arrested by the SLA last month and detained in the SLA camp in Vavuniya were allowed to visit their children.

Permission to see the detainees from Madhu area was granted by the SLA, after the visit of Army Commander Lt.General Srilal Weerasuriya to Madhu last Friday.

Parents of the detainees had made a request to the Army Commander to grant permission to see their sons.

Sources said that 3 of the 5 youths were arrested after April 16th. Two were released after a few days. The remaining 3 are detained in Vavuniya main SLA base.