St. Anthony's statue stands sentinel over Kachchativu

by Nivanthi THILAKARATHNE

At 3.30 on a Sunday morning I was boarding a gunboat with a group of around twenty-five. It was another tour to quench my thirst of discovering marvellous and mysterious places. Everything about the tour was so different from those I had taken earlier. We were on the sea with the aim of reaching the wonderful island 'Kachchativu'.

St. Anthony’s statue at Kachchativu

Kachchativu is an uninhabited island situated about 15 miles North-East of Rameshwaram and about 14 miles South West of Delft island.

Although Kachchativu belonged to India, it was handed over to Sri Lanka in 1974. Now Kachchativu is a part of Delft DS division in the Jaffna district.

We started our tour to Kachchativu from Kankasanthurai. The gunboat which took us to Kachchativu belonged to the Sri Lanka Navy. They provided us with all facilities for the journey. Although there were comfortable rooms in the boat we had no need to be confined to them. We were eager to have a clear view of the sea that early morning.

It was not dark at all, as the full moon was shining like a great yellow lamp in the sky. We were on the sea and under the moonlight. Can you imagine how wonderful that was? Friendly waves were glittering in the moonlight.

That was the time when the moon disappeared from our sight. At that moment we were attracted by another magnificent scenery. The great red sun was peeping from Delft island. Golden sun rays were spreading all over the ocean. The waves were glittering in the sunshine.

No one talked with each other. All were charmed by the amazing beauty of nature. Some were trying to capture the scenery with their cameras. I wished the scene would not end. However, the sun took its own course.

We had breakfast in the boat. I befriended Balachandran, an Indian youth.

St. Anthony’s Church

He had a wealth of information about Kachchativu to share with us. He said St. Anthony's church was built in 1905.

Although Kachchativu is an 85 acre island there were no inhabitants. But it is a place frequented by Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen. Surrounding waters of the island are rich in marine resources such as prawns, shrimps, oyster and corals.

We had to move on to a water jet from the gunboat in the sea.

I was excited. The Navy personnel allayed our fears. Sailing in a water jet came as an awful experience to many of us. However, it was full of fun.

The sun-kissed beach of Kachchativu was filled with shells and golden sand. It was a pleasure to walk along the unspoilt beach. The statue of St. Anthony was overlooking the sea. Except for the church by the beach. There were no other structures on the island.

During the annual feast of St. Anthony's church in Kachchativu which falls in March, thousands of Indian and Sri Lankan pilgrims visit the island.

So far, the pilgrims have not polluted the beautiful island. Let us keep it as it is.