COLOMBO – Close to 100 Indian pilgrims, comprising mainly fishermen and priests, took part in the annual Festival at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kachchatheevu on Friday (11) and Saturday (12). A similar number of pilgrims from Sri Lanka also attended the Festival, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said, adding that the Consul General of India in Jaffna, Raakesh Natraj, and other officials of the Consulate, had attended as special invitees.
The pilgrims were greeted by Minister of Fisheries, Douglas Devananda, on their arrival at the island, the High Commission said, adding that a late evening Mass was held on the same day after special Prayers for the pilgrims to mark the Festival.
A special Mass dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, the patron Saint of Fishermen, was conducted by priests from both India and Sri Lanka on Saturday, followed by the traditional feast and the hoisting of the Church flag.
The annual Festival witnesses enthusiastic participation of Indian pilgrims every year, the High Commission said, noting that more than 3000 pilgrims from India participated in 2020. There was no participation last year as the Festival was not held due to COVID-19. Limited participation was permitted this year for the Festival, which was held in accordance with COVID protocols.
The High Commission said Indian pilgrims are extended consular and other forms of assistance by Consulate General of India, Jaffna and that the Festival underlines the deep people to people linkages between India and Sri Lanka as well as enduring cultural ties.
It also noted that participation of fishermen from the two countries paves the way for close interaction between them and provides an opportunity to know each other and their problems better. The mainstay of the centuries-old connect has been such interactions and close bonds between the peoples of the two close maritime neighbours, it added.
-ENCL