Commemorative event for fifth anniversary of Easter bombings

The programme for the 5th Commemoration of the Easter Sunday attack has been finalized.

For the 5th commemoration of the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attack, arrangements have been made to hold the main celebration program on April 20 and 21 centered on the churches of St. Anthony in Kochikade and St. Sebastian in Katuwapitiya.

Simultaneously, special celebration programs will be held in Christian churches across the island and bells will be rung at all religious places and 2 minutes of silence will be observed on the 21st morning at 8.45 am.

According to the National Catholic Mass Communication Director and Archdiocese Media Spokesperson, Rev. Fr Jude Crisantha Fernando, the main celebration program is as follows.

Saturday 20th April

At 4.00 pm, the Divine Liturgy will be held at the Shrine of St Anthony, Kochchikade.

5.30 pm Sat. Praying procession starting from the shrine of St Anthony.

The march started from Kochchikade church to Katuwapitiya. Walking up to Sebastian's Church. It is scheduled to reach the Katuwapitiya church on the 21st Sunday at around 7.30 am.

Sunday 21st April

8.40 am at Kochchikade St. Anthony's Shrine; 5th celebration with the participation of ecumenical leaders and ambassadors.

(Ringing of bells at all religious places at 8.45 am and observing 2 minutes silence)

At 10.30 a.m. in the Kochchikade Church, the Holy Mass will be presided over by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.
 
On the same day at 3.00 pm the celebration will be held at Maristella School grounds, Negombo.

At 3.30 p.m. starting from Maristella College and going to Katuwapitiya St. Sebastian Church with the participation of bishops, all religious leaders and the people.
 
After that, the prayer service will be held at Katuwapitiya Church under the leadership of all the bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka.

In this service, the devotees are also going to hand over their signature copies to His Eminence Cardinal to name the saints who died in the churches as "witnesses of faith".

By J. Stanislas Pius - Wattala