All restrictions on visiting Madhu Shrine in Sri Lanka lifted

The Sri Lankan government has lifted all restrictions imposed on visiting the country's holiest Catholic Church in the North from Tuesday, the Media Center for National Security said.

The Defense Ministry has given permission for all devotees to visit and pray at the Madhu Church 24 hours a day 7 days of the week with no limitations, effective from January 12, the MCNS said.

The Defense Ministry has taken this decision due to the improved security in the area as the Church premises and the surrounding area are now completely demined and safe for the people to move around.

The government opened the Madhu Shrine last August for its festival with limited access to the area as the demining was in progress then.