Annual feast at Kachchativu Island held today

2026-02-28 - 09:48

The annual feast of St Anthony’s Church at Kachchativu will be held today (28) on the island with customary grandeur. This feast is conducted jointly by devotees from both Sri Lanka and India. Usually, more than 3,500 Indian devotees travel to Kachchativu Island to attend the annual feast of St Anthony’s Church. The flag-hoisting ceremony was attended by the Parish Priest of Neduntheevu, Fr Paththinathan, who hoisted the festival flag to commence the celebrations. Following the flag hoisting, special religious services will be conducted under the patronage of the Bishop of Jaffna, Rt Rev Justin Gnanapragasam Jebaratnam, with the participation of several parish priests. The annual feast of St Anthony’s Church held on Kachchativu Island, situated about 64 kilometres south-west of Jaffna, has a history spanning more than a century. Kachchativu is a small island of approximately 1.15 square kilometres, located farthest from Sri Lanka within the Sri Lankan island chain and in very close proximity to India. In the past, political disputes arose between India and Sri Lanka over ownership of the island. However, in 1974, sovereignty over Kachchativu was vested in Sri Lanka, with conditions permitting its use by fishermen of both countries. Despite that background, the annual feast held for two days each year at St Anthony’s Church on the island is celebrated with the participation of fishermen from both nations. This year as well, all arrangements for the Kachchativu feast were carried out with the full support of the Sri Lanka Navy.