Devotees from India and Sri Lanka started leaving for Karchativu Annual Church feast

Devotees to the two-day Annual Festival Church festival in Katchativu has started leaving this morning from Kurikadduwan Jetty and Delft jetty in Sri Lanka and from Rameswaran in India.

The annual feast of the Kachchativu Church is dedicated to St. Anthony, the patron-saint of seafarers. The church is said to have been built in the early 20th century by an Indian fisherman. It has now been renovated and newly-painted by Sri Lanka Navy for the occasion.

The Annual Church Feast, scheduled to be held from today and tomorrow and it is expected nearly 10,000 devotees from both countries to participate.

Asian Tribune learnt that already 48 Indian Journalists have assembled in Rameswaram and they are expected to leave for Katchativu today.

Sri Lanka Navy is taking from Colombo 47 Sri Lankan Journalists today by land to Kaknkesanthurai and they will be taken to Katchativu tomorrow morning by Naval lounge to Katchativu.

Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Mr. Ashok K.Kantha and the Mr. Mahalingahm, Consul General in Jaffna will be leaving for the islet tomorrow.

Indian High Commissioner is expected to meet the Indian devotees in Katchativu.

Minister Douglas Devananda – the man behind organizing the Katchativu festival since 2010 after a lapse of 26 years, is on his way to Katchativu while this report is being filed.

Minister Douglas Devananda is expected to oversee all arrangements connected with the holding of the Annual Church festival and also he is expected to hold discussions with the members of Sri Lankan and Indian Fishermen organizations separately and jointly regarding problems fishermen of both countries presently encounter in the Palk Starait and Gulf of Mannar sea regions.

According Sri Lanka Navy spokesaman Commander Kosala Warnakulasutiya, “Under the instructions of the Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Shirantha Udawatte, the Navy has provided infrastructure facilities, installation of sanitary and drinking water facilities in the Kachchativu islet located in Sri Lanka’s northern waters. Jetties have been made ready for people to secure their boats conveniently. Special SLN life saving and medical teams is also deployed to ensure the safety of the devotees attending the annual festival. “

- Asian Tribune -