Sri Lanka Navy expects thousands of Indian fishermen to arrive in Kachchativu Island for religious festival

The Sri Lanka Navy says that over 3,000 South Indian pilgrims are expected to participate at the feast of St. Anthony in the Kachchativu Island in the North this weekend.

The annual St. Anthony's feast at Kachchativu Island is to take place today (19) and tomorrow (20).

The Sri Lankan government last week announced that restrictions imposed on Tamil Nadu fishermen on entering the Sri Lankan waters would be lifted during March 19 and 20th to allow them to participate in the annual religious festival.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the laws regarding fishing in Sri Lankan waters will remain, but the Indian fishermen will be permitted to visit the island to participate in the religious celebrations.

Sri Lanka took over the Kachchativu Island in 1974 from India based on the Indo-Lanka Maritime Boundary Agreement.

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 situation.

The Navy has told the media that several thousands of fishermen from South India had participated in the religious activities in the Island last year as well.