St. Anthony’s Church at Kachchathivu had its annual feast in this uninhabited sandy isle on Sunday (04) with a record number of devotees.
The island, lies about 45 nautical miles away from the center of Kankasanthurai covering an area of about 1.5 sqkm receives devotees from both Sri Lanka and South India.
Approximately, 6000 South Indian Catholics with 100 their clergies and about 4000 local Catholics with 50 priests attended the morning prayers, conducted by Vicar General Jaffna Rev. Fr. Justin Gnanapragasm, Rev. Fr. Michel Raj of Sagayamada Church in Sivasangai, Diocese from the South India.
The majority had arrived on the previous day and stayed overnight in the Kachchathivu island to attend the morning mass to get blessings of St. Anthony, to whom the church is dedicated.
On the directions of the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Navy made all necessary arrangements, assisted by Government’s Agent in Jaffna to provide basic needs of local and Indian devotees.
The holy mass symbolizes the long-lasting comradeship between local and Indian fishing communities. Sri Lanka Navy and the Police provided security to people during their stay in the island.
In addition, medical centres and drinking water tanks were installed by the Sri Lanka Navy. Meals, shelter and sanitary conveniences were among other facilities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Kachchathivu was vested in the Sri Lankan government in 1974 by the Indian government under provisions of the Sirima-Shasthri pact. Since then this beautiful sandy island covered with tropical shrubs has been serving as a resting and meeting place for both local and Indian fishermen. The Parish Priest of Delft island took initiative in coordinating all arrangements with relevant agencies.
Chief Incumbent at Nagadeepa Buddhist temple Ven. Navadagala Padumakitti Tissa Thero, Commander Security Forces - Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander Northern Naval Area Rear Admiral Ravi Wijegunarathne, Government Agent Jaffna Mrs. Emelda Sukumar and Mayoress Jaffna Mrs. Yogeswari Pathgunarasa were among the distinguished guests who attended the annual Mass.
The island, lies about 45 nautical miles away from the center of Kankasanthurai covering an area of about 1.5 sqkm receives devotees from both Sri Lanka and South India.
Approximately, 6000 South Indian Catholics with 100 their clergies and about 4000 local Catholics with 50 priests attended the morning prayers, conducted by Vicar General Jaffna Rev. Fr. Justin Gnanapragasm, Rev. Fr. Michel Raj of Sagayamada Church in Sivasangai, Diocese from the South India.
The majority had arrived on the previous day and stayed overnight in the Kachchathivu island to attend the morning mass to get blessings of St. Anthony, to whom the church is dedicated.
On the directions of the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Navy made all necessary arrangements, assisted by Government’s Agent in Jaffna to provide basic needs of local and Indian devotees.
The holy mass symbolizes the long-lasting comradeship between local and Indian fishing communities. Sri Lanka Navy and the Police provided security to people during their stay in the island.
In addition, medical centres and drinking water tanks were installed by the Sri Lanka Navy. Meals, shelter and sanitary conveniences were among other facilities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.
Kachchathivu was vested in the Sri Lankan government in 1974 by the Indian government under provisions of the Sirima-Shasthri pact. Since then this beautiful sandy island covered with tropical shrubs has been serving as a resting and meeting place for both local and Indian fishermen. The Parish Priest of Delft island took initiative in coordinating all arrangements with relevant agencies.
Chief Incumbent at Nagadeepa Buddhist temple Ven. Navadagala Padumakitti Tissa Thero, Commander Security Forces - Jaffna Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Commander Northern Naval Area Rear Admiral Ravi Wijegunarathne, Government Agent Jaffna Mrs. Emelda Sukumar and Mayoress Jaffna Mrs. Yogeswari Pathgunarasa were among the distinguished guests who attended the annual Mass.
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