Navy earns high accolades as Kachchativu feast concludes on high note
March 19, 2025The annual feast of St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kachchativu, held on 14 and 15 Mar 25, was a vibrant celebration of faith and unity, drawing a large number of devotees from across India and Sri Lanka. The event saw the main mass led by prominent clergy, including the Bishop of Sivagangai Diocese in India, Rt. Revd. Dr. Lourdu Ananthan, Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese, Very Revd. Fr. P. J. Jebaratnam, Revd. Fr. Ciswan de Croos from Colombo Arch Diocese, Parish Priest of Rameswaram in India, Revd. Fr. Ashok and Parish Priest in Delft, Revd. Fr. P. Pathinathan. Organized by the Bishop of Jaffna Diocese, Rt. Revd. Justin Gnanapragasam and Jaffna District Secretary, Mr. Maruthalingam Piiratheepan, the festival was a testament to cross-border spiritual camaraderie. The Sri Lanka Navy, which received high praise from all communities present at the annual festival, played a pivotal role, lending its technical expertise and manpower to ensure seamless arrangements.
Adding to the significance, the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, the President of Navy Seva Vanitha, Consulate General of India in Jaffna and a group of dignitaries also attended the main mass. Delivering the vote of thanks, Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese, Very Revd. Fr. P. J. Jebaratnam delivered the Commander of the Navy’s message “Let’s preserve the endowed heritage of the ocean and marine biodiversity for future generations” to over 8,500 devotees of both India and Sri Lanka.
At the directives of the Commander of the Navy, the Sri Lanka Navy ensured facilitation of the annual feast, under the supervision of the Commander Northern Naval Area. In collaboration with the Jaffna District Secretariat and the Delft Divisional Secretariat, the Navy ensured that all essential requirements for devotees were met. This included providing life-saving assistance, maintaining hygiene standards, addressing medical needs, and facilitating communication, in a meticulous manner.
At the conclusion of the festival, the Commander of the Navy responded to inquiries from both local and international journalists. He highlighted that, with the guidance from the Government of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Defence, the Navy collaborated closely with the Jaffna Diocese, the Northern Provincial Governor, the District Secretary, various government institutions and the Police, for the successful execution of the culturally significant St. Anthony's Church festival, attracting devotees from Sri Lanka, India and other parts.
He also emphasized the Navy's commitment to safeguarding maritime security in coordination with the Coast Guard, Sister Services, Police, and other law enforcement agencies, acting on the directives of the Ministry of Defence. The Navy Chief reiterated the Navy's commitment for the safety and wellbeing of the general public, effectively combating various illegal activities that breach the nation's laws. Additionally, he acknowledged the crucial support extended by regional partners, particularly India, in aiding the Navy's efforts to prevent such unlawful actions.
He also emphasized that the maritime boundaries between Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, and other neighboring states have been definitively demarcated. He noted that the legal framework governing these borders is well-defined, and all involved nations are operating with a shared and clear understanding of these established boundaries. Thus, it was emphasized that all states will uphold the law to address any breaches of maritime boundaries by any entity. In line with this, the Navy has pledged its fullest support to ensure the law is effectively enforced, he said. He also underscored that the Sri Lanka Navy is continuously implementing essential measures to safeguard the nation's territorial integrity and sovereignty. All vessels navigating through Sri Lankan territorial waters are closely monitored by the relevant authorities and kept under strict surveillance. These ships are tracked around the clock from the moment they enter the country's maritime boundaries, he elaborated further.
When questioned about piracy in Sri Lankan waters, he affirmed that the area remains free from pirate attacks, with no reported incidents involving fishermen. Adding more, Vice Admiral Banagoda emphasized the strong bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and India, as well as with other regional nations, highlighting their collaborative efforts in intelligence sharing and maritime security to combat illegal activities at sea. He further noted the close partnership between the Sri Lanka and Indian Navies, as well as between their respective Coast Guards . Additionally, he acknowledged the significant role regional allies play in enhancing the capabilities of Sri Lanka’s armed forces through capacity-building initiatives. Besides, the Commander of the Navy highlighted that the Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force are actively engaged in ongoing border patrol operations to safeguard Sri Lanka's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In addition, he underlined the crucial duty of preserving the resources and biodiversity we have inherited, ensuring they are bestowed on future generations. Finally, the Navy Chief highlighted the importance of every individual adhering to international law and national regulations. A significant portion of this responsibility, he noted, lies with environmentalists, educators, and media professionals. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the media personnel present for their accurate and dedicated coverage of the religious event.
Local and foreign distinguished guests, diplomatic corps, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Retd), senior and junior naval personnel of the Navy, religious dignitaries from India and Sri Lanka, state officials, local and foreign media reporters, officers from the Navy Christian Council, senior officers from the Tri-Services and Police and a large group of devotees attended this event.
Courtesy - www.navy.lk