I am very much pleased to send this message of felicitation on the occasion of the Annual Feast of St Mary’s Church, Matara.

St Mary’s Church in Matara is highly venerated by not only the southerners but by everyone all over the country. The services provided by this Church for spiritual upliftment of people and education of children in the locality are excellent.

We know that St Mary’s Church provided special services to people when people were affected by tsunami. People will never forget the manner in which St Mary’s Church assisted those affected in rehabilitating their lives regardless of any religious differences.

The installation of the statue of  the Virgin Mary known as “Our Lady of Matara” is a blessing to Matara as well as to the whole country.

As the last Annual Feast of St Mary’s Church what we prayed for was the intercession of Our Lady of Madhu and Our Lady of Ruhuna to unite and bring peace to our country.  Accordingly we have received blessings to hold the celebrations of Our Lady of  Madhu and Our Lady of Matara with united motherly affection as one family in one country and under the shadow of one flag. It is a pride for us.

I wish that this Annual Feast of  Our Lady of Matara would be a great success.

Sgd. Mahinda Rajapakse
11th September 2009