July 23, Colombo: The sacred Madhu statue taken away from its shrine to LTTE controlled area was brought back yesterday across the Omanthai checkpoint to the Madhu Church in Mannar, the military said.

The statue was removed by the clergy last April when the Madhu Church came under attack from the Tamil Tigers after Sri Lankan army gained control of the church and the surrounding area.

The Holy Statue is to be placed back in its original position at the MADHU shrine once the renovations of the LTTE-damaged buildings are completed. Sri Lanka Army has undertaken repairs and renovations which cost around Rs 1.5 million following a directive given by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, defense authorities said.

Sri Lankan Troops meanwhile are demining the compound and the surrounding area before the Holy Statue is returned to the shrine to hold the annual feast in August.