-By A Special Reporter
(Lanka-e-News -22.March.2025, 11.20 PM) The annual feast of St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost things (including maritime boundaries, apparently), saw over 9,000 Indian and Sri Lankan pilgrims arriving on the tiny island of Kachchativu last weekend. The event, which is a beautiful display of unity, faith, and the occasional "accidental" crossing of territorial waters, brought together fisherfolk from both nations in a grand religious gathering.
This year, history was made as Bishop Lourdu Anandam of the Sivagangai Diocese in India attended the feast, marking the first time an Indian bishop co-led the mass. While this may have raised a few diplomatic eyebrows, Bishop Anandam kept it classy by reminding everyone that St. Anthony has always been a saint without borders—unlike some international fishing laws.
Last year, Indian fishermen boycotted the festival, citing grievances over Sri Lanka seizing their fishing trawlers. But this year, they seemed to have realized that nothing brings people together like divine intervention (and maybe the hope of getting a few boats back). The mass was conducted peacefully, with both sides momentarily setting aside their differences over who gets to fish where and who gets to take home more prawns.
Speaking of prawns, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, took the opportunity to remind everyone that illegal fishing in Lankan waters would be met with "appropriate actions." When asked if he thought a resolution would be reached soon, he responded with, "I hope and I prayed that would happen." Translation: If St. Anthony can perform miracles, now would be a great time for one!
The feast was also attended by various dignitaries, including Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, local politicians, and the Indian Consulate General in Jaffna, Sai Murali. The Sri Lankan Navy played host, setting up temporary shelters, providing food and water, and, of course, keeping a very close eye on any fishing boats that might have "accidentally" floated a little too far from their respective shores.
Meanwhile, Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen leaders took a break from their usual arguments to pray together for a peaceful resolution to their long-standing fishery disputes. "We need to work together to find a solution," said Rameshwaram Fishermen Union leader A Sesuraja, before quietly checking if his boat was still parked in Sri Lankan waters.
Jaffna's fishermen leader A Annarasa had his own diplomatic take on the matter, stating, "If Indian fishermen really care about us, they should stop poaching in our waters." He then glanced over at the nearest Indian fisherman and added, "And no, praying at the same church doesn’t count as reparations."
Despite the undercurrents of political tension, the feast was a grand success, proving that while maritime disputes may linger, faith (and well-organized Sri Lankan Navy logistics) can bring people together. As the last boat left the island, a Sri Lankan sailor was heard reminding an Indian fisherman: "Next time, just bring prayers, not your trawler."
And so, with blessings from St. Anthony and a few exchanged side-eyes over fishing rights, the pilgrims returned home—at least until next year, when they'll once again reunite on the shores of Kachchativu, under the Sri Lankan flag, because... well, geography!
-By A Special Reporter
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by (2025-03-22 18:28:00)
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