The famous Saint Anthony Feast this year was shedded on 14th and 15th March. Saint Anthony, as per Catholic beliefs is the Saint gives protection and looks after Fishermen and Seafarers like me. Most of the Buddhist Seafarers believe on Saint Antony and it’s customary these seafarers keep a statue of Saint Anthony in their cabins in the ship or craft.
I am one of these Buddhist believer on Saint Antony of Padua, who died on 13th June 1231 at age of 35 years, at Padua in Holy Roman Empire and canonized on 30th May 1232 by Pope Gregory IX.
I planned for my annual pilgrimage. I was unable to attend last year as I was away in Pakistan as Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Islamabad. I was more than happy to understand that our Indian brothers and sisters also attending the feast this year and it will be 4000 devotees. I decided to travel to Kankasanturai (KKS), Jaffna by train and stay at my usual resting place, Fort Hammenhiel Resort, Navy- run boutique hotel- which was a prison turned in to a hotel, where JVP leaders, including Founder Comrade Rohana Wijeweera was kept in custody during 1971 attempted revolt. I was fortunate to turn this Fort in a tiny islet in Kytes lagoon into a Four-Star Boutique Hotel and to preserve writing on Wall in a cell, written by Comrade Rohan himself in his hand writing in 2012, when I was the Commander Northern Naval Area. Today, I feel proud in preserving these historic writings by Captives, which were written during one of the darkest periods of our recent history.
I invite you to visit Fort Hammenhiel in your next trip to Jaffna and see this famous writing by famous revolutionary leader of our time.
The train left Colombo Fort Railway Station in time (0530 hrs / 14th) and reached KKS as per scheduled, 1410 hrs. I was highly impressed with cleanliness and quality of railway Compartments; including the toilets. When I sent a photograph of my railway compartment to my son, he text me asking “ Dad ! Are you in an aircraft or in a train Compartment?“
Well done Sri Lanka Railways. Please keep up your good work. No wonder foreign tourists love train rides, including famous Ella Odyssey trains.
Traveling on board a train is comfortable, relaxed and stress -free! As a frequent traveler on A 9 road to Jaffna, which is stressful due oncoming heavy vehicles on A9 road. This was a new experience and I enjoyed the ride – sitting comfortably and reading my recently received book from my friend in New York- Senaka Senaviratne- the book named “ Hillbilly Elegy “ by US Vice President JD Vance which is an International best seller now. Please book your tickets online and try train trip to Jaffna.
My buddy, Commodore (E) Dissanayale (Dissa), brilliant Engineer who built Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plants for North, North Central and North Western provinces to eradicate Chronic Kidney Disease from these areas is the Commodore Superintendent Engineering in North Naval Area and was awaiting at KKS Railway Station to receive me.
I had a cup of tea at Dissa’s chalet at our Northern Naval Command Headquarters in KKS and proceeded to Fort Hammenhiel at Karainagar, approximately 35 minutes drive from KKS.
The acting Commanding Officer of Karainagar Naval Base (SLNS ELARA) Commander Jayawardena (Jaye) was there at Fort Hammenhiel Restaurant to have late lunch with me. Jaye was a Cadet at Naval and Maritime Academy, (NMA) Trincomalee, when I was Commandant in 2006, NMA was under Artillery fire from LTTE twice , when these officers were Cadets and until we destroyed enemy Gun positions and our gallant Army occupied Sampoor on Southern side of Trincomalee harbor. I feel very proud of Jaye, who is a Commander now (equal to Army rank Lieutenant Colonel) and Commanding a very important Naval Base in Jaffna. The present Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda had been in SLNS ELARA few hours before me and already left to Delft Island on his inspection tour.
Commander Jaye was very happy because his Divisional Officer when he was a cadet was Vice Admiral Kanchana (then Lieutenant Commander). I had my heavy lunch and rested for few hours and left Karainagar in an ingenious built – Inshore Patrol Craft heading to Kachchtivu Island by 1730 hrs.
The sea was very clam due to inter-monsoon weather and we reached Kachchtivu Island by 1845 hrs. The Devotees from both Sri Lanka and India has already reached the island, including the Catholic Bishop of Sivagangai Diocese, Tamilnadu India His Eminence Lourdu Anandam and Vicar General of Jaffna Diocese Very Rev father PJ Jabaratnam were already there in Kachchativu with more than 100 priests and nuns from Sri Lanka and India. It was a solid display of brotherhood of two neighboring nations united together at this tiny island to worship God. They were joined by 8000 devotees; (4000 from each country).
All logistics – food, fresh water, medical facilities were provided by Sri Lanka Navy. Now, this festival has become yearly major amphibious operation for Navy’s Landing Craft fleet, led by SLNS Shakthi (Landing Ship tanks). They exercise establishing a temporary base in a remote island, where even not a drop of drinking water and providing food for 8000 persons. Today its devotees – in War it will be Army personnel. The planning and execution of this task was commendable under Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Thusara Karunathilake. The Sri Lankan government allocated 30 million rupees from Annual National Budget for this festival, which is now considered as National Religious Festival.
The Indian devotees enjoyed food provided by SLN. They had highest praise for our Navy. The devotees from Jaffna Diocese, mainly from Delft Island helped SLN. Deft Pradeshiya Sabha and AGA Delft Island – a very efficient lady supervised all administrative functions in the Island. Sri Lanka Police established temporarily Police Station with both male and female Police officers.
As usual, our Sinhalese devotees came from Negambo, Chillaw, Kurunagala mainly and from all other area has brought food enough and more for them and their Catholic brothers and sisters from India! Children brought biscuits, milk toffees, Kalu Dodol and cakes to share with Indian and Jaffna devotees.
Bishop of Jaffna told in his sermons on 22nd December 2016 when he declared open the new Church built by SLN from total financial contributions from Navy officers and sailors has become true in front of my own eyes. Jaffna Bishop Rt Rev Dr Justin Bernard Ganapragasam said that day “the new Church going to be Church of reconciliation “. Thanks My Lord!
The church looked beautiful at night with lighting and moonlight. It was only one day ago we had full moon Poya day. Sitting on beach and looking at beautiful moon-lit sea , light breeze coming from North East direction and listening to beautiful hymns sung by devotees praising Saint Antony , I thank God and remembered all my friends who patrolled these seas and no more with us. Their dedications, valor and bravery out at sea brought lasting peace to our beloved country. But today WHO REMEMBER THEM?
The rituals of hoisting the flag post, carrying the Cross around island, carrying St Anthony statue around the island and prayers continued until midnight.
The Indian politicians who are campaigning of acquiring Kachchativu Island back to India should read what Attorney General of India Mukul Rohargi said at Indian Supreme Court on 26th August 2014 when presnting facts to Supreme Court’s bench consists of Chief Justice of India, Hon R M Lodha and two more Judges “Kachchativu has gone to Sri Lanka by agreement signed by two countries in 1974. It’s a part of Sri Lanka now and we have agreed to the Indo- Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line. If we want Kachchativu – we have to go to War with Sri Lanka and occupy the Island “. So, it’s very clear Kachchativu is a closed case and no more discussions required.
Next day morning (15th) Main Mass was attended by Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and his family it was a great gesture by Navy Commander to attend this Feast with his family. I had long discussion with Indian Consul General Jaffna Mr Sai Mulari about frequent incidents of Indian trawlers doing BOTTOM TRAWLING in Sri Lankan waters and what we should do as diplomats to bring a lasting solution to this issue, as I always say “only irritant in our friendly and brotherly neighboring nations”. I was highly impressed with this young Indian diplomat who is doing a thankless job in Jaffna.
We have “Ray of hope” when Indian PM Shri Narendra Modi visits Sri Lanka early next month and agree for concrete solution which is acceptable to both countries and their humble fishermen fishing in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar.
The Vicar General Jaffna Diocese, my dear friend, Very Rev Father P J Jabarathnam also made an open appeal to all Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen importance of protecting the environment which was protected by our forefathers to our next generation. Bottom trawling is the most destructive method of fishing which destroys the sea bed.
I was fortunate to attend yet another St Anthony feast in Kachchativu. I urged St Anthony to protect our Navy officers, sailors and their families.
Also to give enough strength to attend next year’s feast.
Good morning sir.
Thank you very much for the article. It is wonderful article.
Thanks. Blessings of Saint Anthony to you and your family.
Ravi