Kachchativu feast :

An event solidifying mutual ties – Indian HC

Praises Sri Lankan Navy:

Ridma Dissanayake in Kachchativu

Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha who attended the annual feast of St. Anthony’s Church in Kachchathivu yesterday expressed the wish that the event which draws a sizable number of Indian pilgrims, would be a catalyst in further strengthening the existing bonds between the peoples of the two countries.

“Friendship and brotherhood between Sri Lanka and India has a long history. Strengthening this brotherhood is very important for both countries,” he said. “All should try to strengthen mutual understanding between each other,” Kantha said. He praised the Sri Lankan Navy for

facilitating the event by building infrastructure and providing amenities to the pilgrims .

“The Navy has rendered a commendable service in strengthening mutual ties and should be lauded for this effort. They treated both Sri Lankan and Indian devotees in a very courteous and respectable manner,” he said.

Kantha was addressing the media at the annual feast of St Anthony’s church on Kachchativu Island yesterday.

“Certain parties, both in India and Sri Lanka, are trying to create negative views and beliefs to harm this age-old friendship and brotherhood to destroy the strong bonds between the two nations. The Sri Lankan Navy is making a remarkable contribution to protect and strengthen this brotherhood,” he said.

The annual feast of St Anthony’s Church in Kachchativu was held on a grand scale on Saturday and yesterday.

The Festive Mass was presided over by Bishop of Jaffna Rt Rev Dr Thomas Savundranayagam.

He was assisted by the Parish Priest of Kachchativu.

This is the first occasion where a Bishop of Jaffna participated in the annual feast of St Anthony’s in Kachchativu.

Nearly 7,000 devotees including clergy from Sri Lanka and India attended the event facilitated by the Sri Lanka Navy. Food and transportation were also provided by the Sri Lanka Navy and around 200 Indian boats arrived.

The Sri Lanka Navy organised the annual Feast under the direction of the Defence Ministry and the supervision of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage.

Four hundred Navy personnel were deployed with a special Sri Lanka Navy life saving and medical team to ensure the devotees’ safety.

Jetties were made available for people to secure their boats conveniently. Sri Lanka Naval personnel numbering 150 were deployed in renovation activities in the island since February 5.

Two medical students who attended the feast from India also praised the Sri Lankan Navy for treating Indian pilgrims well.

They said events such as St Anthony’s Feast in Kachchativu Island will strengthen the friendship, brotherhood and mutual ties between Sri Lanka and India.

Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglas Devananda and Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe also visited Kachchativu on the eve of the Feast. The church built in Kachchativu is named after St Anthony, the patron-saint of seafarers to whom the annual feast is dedicated. The church is said to have been built in the early 20th century by fishermen.