St Anthony’s feast:

Nod for Indian fishermen to enter Kachchativu Island

Disna Mudalige

Permission will be granted for Indian participants to enter Sri Lankan waters to take part in St Anthony’s feast which will be held in Kachchativu island on March 19 and 20, Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya told the Daily News yesterday.

He said that as expected over 5,000 participants will arrive in this island for the festival from Sri Lanka and India. The Navy is providing assistance including food and other facilities for the participants. “We have granted permission for them only for the sole purpose of attending this religious festival. The laws regarding fishing in Sri Lankan waters remain same.

They are allowed only to enter Kuchchativu island,” he said. Many Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen will visit this island to participate in this festival. However due to terrorist activities over the past three decades this number had gradually decreased. However many will attend the event this year with the peaceful atmosphere in the area.