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Stalin seeks Jaishankar’s help to send pilgrims to Kachchativu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar requesting him to urge the Sri Lankan Government to allow Tamil Nadu fishermen to take part in the annual feast of St. Anthony’s Church at Kachchativu.
The Sri Lankan authorities are not allowing Tamil Nadu fishermen to take part in the festival this year “citing various reasons”, said the letter, a copy of which was shared with the Indian media. “The Tamil fishermen and pilgrims have a spiritual and emotional attachment to St. Antony’s Church in Kachchativu, and have been participating in this traditional event for several decades now. The news of the denial of permission by the Sri Lankan authorities has caused deep disappointment among the fishermen community in the State,” Mr. Stalin states in his letter.
The Sunday Times reported last week that the Sri Lankan authorities had decided to hold this year’s Kachchativu feast without Indian pilgrims owing to the prevailing COVID-19 situation.
The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Jaffna’s District Sectary K. Mahesan and attended by Jaffna’s Bishop the Rt. Rev. Justin Gnanapragasam, health officials and senior security personnel.
Mr Mahesan told the Sunday Times that based on the advice of the health authorities, Indian pilgrims would not be allowed to attend the feast on March 11 and 12.
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