• A crowd of less than 200 including 100 Sri Lankan and Indian devotees and the priests participated at the service yesterday
• 200 Navy personnel and a police contingent would provide  protection 
• Jaffna Bishop Rev. Fr. Justin Gnanapragasam would officiate at the service today

By Romesh Madusanka   

The two day annual service of St. Anthony’s Church in the Kachchathivu Island in the sea off Jaffna commenced yesterday with the participation of a crowd of less than 200 including 100 Sri Lankan and Indian devotees and the priests.   Jaffna District Secretary K. Mahesa said a group of 200 Navy personnel and a police contingent would provide protection while a team of PHIs look into the health and sanitation.    

The District Secretary said the church service last year had been held without the participation of devotees due to the CORONA Pandemic, but this year a limited crowd was allowed.   Jaffna Bishop Rev. Fr. Justin Gnanapragasam would officiate at the service today. 

• A team of PHIs will look into the health and sanitation