AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam on Saturday sought the intervention of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in arranging the participation of devotees from Tamil Nadu in the annual festival of St. Anthony’s church in Katchatheevu.
Referring to reports that the festival would be held on March 11 and 12, Mr. Panneerselvam, in a letter, pointed out that the Sri Lankan Government had decided to have the festival without devotees, both from India (Tamil Nadu) and Sri Lanka, quoting several reasons.
Fishermen, hailing from the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, had traditionally undertaken the pilgrimage to Katchatheevu during the festival. The recent decision of the Sri Lankan Government caused “great frustration” among the fishermen, the AIADMK leader added.