The Jaffna District Secretariat and the Northern Naval Command said all preparations are in place to hold the annual festival of St. Anthony's Church in Kachchativu on March 14th and 15th.
The Jaffna District Secretariat said that though no Indian devotees participated last year (2024) due to Indo-Lanka fishing issues, this year nearly 3500 Indian devotees have registered to attend the festival.
The Northern Naval Command said they have taken steps to provide security and transportation facilities for both Indian and Sri Lankan devotees participating in the Kachchativu festival, as well as to construct temporary jetties for the vessels arriving for this festival, installing drinking water systems, sanitation and electricity facilities.
Roads too have been done up while medical facilities too have been put in place.
The Navy has also taken steps to install a special security camera system covering the entire area where the Katchathivu Deva Mangallaya is held.
During 1913, when the island belonged to India, Indian fishermen, during their fishing activities, used wooden poles to build a statue of Saint Anthony on Katchathivu Island for the development of the fishing industry and first performed religious services.
Accordingly, on March 14, the main flag will be hoisted at 4 pm for the Katchathivu Deva Mangalaya, and on the morning of March 15, the main flag will be hoisted again after the main religious service, which will conclude the ceremony, and everyone will leave Katchathivu Island, isolating the island.
Pix and story by Wanni Romesh
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