Kachchativu Feast concludes strengthening Indo-Lanka friendship

Under the direction of the Ministry of Defence and the supervision of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, the Sri Lanka Navy facilitated the conduct of the annual feast of the St. Anthony’s church in Kachchativu on a grand scale. The Way of the Cross and the Holy Mass was held on 28^th February 2015, and the Feast Mass was held on 01^st March.

The Feast Mass was presided over by the Vicar General of the Jaffna Diocese His Lordship Rev. Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam. He was assisted by the Parish Priest of Delft and Kachchativu. Rev. Fr. S. Nesanayagam. Over 7,500 devotees including clergy from Sri Lanka and India attended the feast strengthening the Indo-Lanka friendship. The Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sarath Dissanayake and several senior naval officers also attended the Mass.

Under the guidance of the Commander Northern Naval Area, the Navy provided meals and all infrastructure facilities, including installation of sanitary and drinking water facilities. Temporary jetties were made ready for people to secure their boats conveniently, and special SLN life saving including medical teams were deployed to ensure the safety of the devotees attending the annual festival.

The Archbishop of Colombo, the Bishop of Jaffna and the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka had extended their assistance to make the unique event a great success. The priests from India and Sri Lanka were very appreciative of the SLN's efforts to create a bridge of friendship across the Palk Strait between the two neighbouring countries, by facilitating the annual event, which is of great significance to Catholic faith of both countries.