Formal consecration ceremony of church only next March: Centre

The External Affairs Ministry today informed the Madras High court that the formal consecration ceremony of the newly-built St. Anthony's church at Katchatheevu islet in Sri Lanka would take place along with the annual festival next March.

The court's Madurai bench had directed the Centre to file its views on a PIL on permitting Tamil Nadu pilgrims to attend the consecration ceremony, which was scheduled to be held yesterday but had been postponed to a later date on account of the demise of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Head of MEA Branch Secretariat T Angeline Premalatha submitted that Lankan church officials only proposed to hold thanksgiving service for workers who helped build the church adjacent to the existing one. It was not a formal ceremony and even Sri Lankan pilgrims had not been invited.
 

"The formal ceremony would be held during the annual St. Anthony's church festival in March 2017. At that time both Indian and Sri Lankan pilgrims will be present," she said.

She also said the list of 20 people who will be attending on behalf of Tamil Nadu fishermen had been proposed by the Rameswaram Bishop, and invitation had been extended by the Jaffna Bishop for thanksgiving function.

The MEA had only provided a 'no objection certificate' to those 20 people for attending the function so that Indian coast guard could liaise with the Lankan navy for arrangements for the visit.

She also said as per the 1974 agreement, Indian fishermen and pilgrims "enjoyed access to Katchatheevu and will not be required to obtain travel documents or visa."

She said for the annual festival, infrastructural arrangements had to be made in the island and the Sri Lankan government would arrange temporary facilities at the time for which funding would be extended by government of India.

Whenever a large group visited the Katchatheevu island, infrastructural arrangements had to be made in advance, at least two weeks before, she submitted.

A division bench of justices A Selvam and P Kalaiarasan asked on what basis 20 people had been selected by the Rameswaram bishop and directed that he be impleaded in the case and posted the case for hearing on December 19.