Bishop Rayappu Joseph

Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph told the BBC on Thursday, that the Tamil Tigers had agreed to refrain from fighting in the area of the church to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

"The Military had already agreed to make commitment to stop fighting in the area during the festival. With that assurance I went to meet the Tiger leadership."

Bishop Joseph was talking to the BBC on his return from the meeting with Tamil Tiger leadership.

	'Agreed not to attack'

Madhu Church remains in the LTTE controlled area, but the August festivities remain to be popular with Christians from all over Sri Lanka.

The Bishop also says the LTTE will open the road from Mannar to the Madhu church for the use of pilgrims.

In an interview with the BBC Sinhala service, Military spokesman confirmed that they had also agreed with the bishop to refrain from fighting in Madhu during the festival.

In the past the Madhu Church had made appeals to both warring parties to not to harass and harm the refugees seeking shelter in the area.