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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Katchchathivu St Anthony's Feast Draws Record Nos of Devotees


A record 6000 devotees, including 3100 Indians who arrived in Katchchathivu island in the country's northern seas in 95 vessels attended the annual feast of the St Anthony's church in Katchchathivu Sunday (16) morning.

Pastor of the Delft Island Mission Rev. Father Amalraj Gnanaprakasan and Pastor of India's Rameshwaram Mission Rev. Father Sabaira conducted the service at the feast, attended by Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Navy and several senior Army and Navy officers.

According to the Navy, this was the first time after the war, a record number of over 6000 devotees with such enthusiasm, took part in the feast, considered as one of the holiest masses among Christians and Catholics of both India and Sri Lanka.

On the directions of Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Sri Lanka Navy on the guidelines given by Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, facilitates the passage and  the conduct of the annual feast on a grand scale.

In response to an invitation, extended by his Navy counterpart, Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army participated in the feast.

As in the previous years, the Sri Lankan Navy provided all infrastructure facilities, including installation of temporary sanitary and drinking water facilities to the attendees. In addition, temporary jetties were set up and made ready for people to secure their boats conveniently. Special Navy life saving and medical teams were deployed to ensure the safety of the devotees attending the annual festival. The Navy said it also supplied meals to the devotees as a gesture of goodwill.

Speaking at the feast, the Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage thanked the priests from India and Sri Lanka for their appreciation of the Sri Lanka Navy's efforts to create a bridge of brotherhood and cooperation across the Palk Strait between the two neighboring countries.

The devotees from India continued to attend the festivities of the St. Anthony's Church which was established in 1905. The practice was interrupted during the three-decade long conflict during which the public was not allowed to visit the island due to security concerns.

Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sarath Dissanayake, Jaffna Security Force Commander Major General Udaya Perera and several senior security officers also attended the mass.