More than 2500 Indian pilgrims from various backgrounds participated in St. Anthony's Festival in Kachchateevu, Sri Lanka.

On March 3, Douglas Devananda, Sri Lankan Minister of Fisheries, welcomed the Indian pilgrims to the Island.

Priests from India and Sri Lanka joined on March 4 to offer a special Mass in honor of the patron saint of fishermen, St. Anthony of Padua. 

This year, the government of India is financially backing these festivities.

The Consul General of India in Jaffna, Raakesh Natraj, and other consulate officials represented India at the festival, highlighting Indian support of religious events in Sri Lanka.

According to a statement by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the festival underscores strong people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka.