Indian devotees allowed to attend Katchatheevu festival

Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said that he has provided assurance to a senior DMK leader who spoke to him on behalf of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the phone to permit Indians for the Katchatheevu festival.

According to a report on Times of India, Devananda said, the festival committee initially decided against permitting Indians for the festival due to the pandemic but the issue raised concerns among the devotees in Tamil Nadu.

Following this, the devotees made a representation to Chief Minister Stalin. In the letter, Mr. Stalin said the denial of Sri Lankan authorities to permit fishermen community in Tamil Nadu from attending the function has created a deep disappointment.

Hence, he requested the Union External Affairs Minister to enable the participation of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Annual festival.