The government has planned to introduce a budget package for devotees flying to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
This move will curtail the monopoly of private travel agencies, it is envisaged. The government will facilitate Hajj pilgrims with all the facilities including the air ticket, accommodation, meals and transport at around Rs. 500,000 per person.
This programme will be implemented as per a concept of the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Cultural Affairs Minister under the direct supervision of the National Hajj Committee and the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department.
A discussion was held between the National Hajj Committee and the Prime Minister at his official residence in Colombo yesterday.
At the meeting it was revealed that devotees face numerous difficulties during Hajj pilgrimages due to the lack of facilities provided by the travel agencies. Accordingly, it was discussed that accommodation should be provided at the star class hotels located near the Great Mosque (The Haram Mosque). Differently-abled and the sick devotees should also be provided with special facilities, it was discussed.
According to the Premier, the Saudi government has expressed their consent to support this programme. Sri Lanka has a quota of 3,500 pilgrims for the Hajj Pilgrimage this year.
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