Navy builds new shrine in Kachchathivu

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Navy will build a new church to replace St. Anthony’s Church in the small islet of Kachchathivu which is over hundred years and venerated by both Sri Lankans and Indians.

Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne told the Sunday Observer that the Navy had undertaken the task handed over by the Catholic Church and that they would not get an opportunity to construct a church of this nature which is considered a privilege.

“The Navy was using the steel bars which had been used in the construction at the Galle Face Green during the canonisation of Fr.Joseph Vaz,” he said.

“We did not sell the steel for scrap, but kept it safely as it was blessed by the Pope. Now we are using this material for a structure which could strengthen ties between Sri Lanka and India, as Fr. Joseph Vaz hailed from India,” he said.

The earlier structure was constructed in 1901, to accommodate thousands of devotees from Sri Lanka and India who throng this small island to participate in the annual feast in February every year. The Church which could accommodate only a dozen will be replaced with a 3,500 sq ft building.

The foundation stone was laid on May 9. The Jaffna Vicar General Rev. Fr. Joseph Das Jebarathnam, Rev. Fr. Antony Jeyaranjan, Rev. Fr. Nixon Colin and Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva participated.

Thousands of Catholic devotees, mostly fishermen from Sri Lanka and India gathered in the Kachchathivu island for the annual feast. Indians are permitted to attend the church feast sans travel documents as per the 1976 Agreement between India and Sri Lanka.
 

Jaffna Vicar General Rev. Fr. Joseph Das Jebarathnam, Rev. Fr. Antony Jeyaranjan, Rev. Fr. Nixon Colin and Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva at the foundation laying ceremony. (Pix: Shan Rambukwelle)