Chennai, March 11 (BPNS)

76 pilgrims from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu have traveled to Katchatheevu island in Sri Lanka to participate in the annual festival of St Antony’s Church. The pilgrims were granted permission after the External affairs ministry granted permission following the intervention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The organizers of the pilgrimage had earlier denied permission to the pilgrims from India following the pandemic.

The permission was granted after Stalin took up the matter with the Union external affairs ministry and through senior party leaders with the  Sri Lankan fisheries minister. The Sri Lankan government had earlier given permission for 50 people to participate in the festival but later raised it to 100 as it is a reunion between families in two countries who have not met for several years. It may be noted that before the pandemic 2000 to 5000 people from Rameswaram participate in the pilgrimage.

The celebrations will commence from Friday evening and continue till Saturday morning.

Sri Lankan minister Douglas Devananda met the fishermen association leaders from Rameswaram at Katchatheevu and listened to the woes of the fishermen in Tamil Nadu while fishing in Sri Lankan waters. Many fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

P. Jesuraj, President of All mechanized boat fishermen association while speaking to BPNS said, “This is an annual festival and is important for the fishermen community of both the countries. I do thank the Central government and state government for the initiative to make this pilgrimage possible.”