Expressing satisfaction over the arrangements made at the two-day annual St Antony’s Church festival in Katchatheevu, fishermen and devotees from the coastal district of Ramanathapuram on Saturday said they were pleasantly surprised to meet the fishermen from Sri Lanka and also described the interaction with Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda as ‘fruitful’.
After the pandemic surfaced, the pilgrimage was prohibited over the last two years. With situation turning normal, the governments of India and Sri Lanka agreed to allow the pilgrims, but with restrictions.
Initially, only 50 pilgrims were given permission to take part in the festival held on March 11 and 12. However, at the eleventh hour, permission was granted for another 50 pilgrims.
