Earlier in the day on Saturday, a Sri Lankan Catholic priest involved in organising St Anthony’s Feast, told a Sri Lankan TV channel that the pilgrims want to come for it but are being prevented by the agitators. The agitators are asking for the arrest of the Sri Lankan navy man and have rejected the compensation offered by the Tamil Nadu government. Orders were passed on Friday to release 53 of the 85 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody. Only Sri Lankan fishermen are currently participating in the Kachchativu festival. The Sri Lankan navy had renovated and expanded St Anthony’s Chapel.

Source: bd News24 March 11, 2017 16:57 UTC