In St. Antony alone, we trust

Sparks fly as Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen clash over depleting fish populations at Katchatheevu, seeking government intervention for resolution.

Sparks were flying at this once-in-a-year get-together for Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen at Katchatheevu in Sri Lanka. George, a young fisherman from Talaimannar, got into a heated argument with a leader of the Tamil Nadu fishing community during the annual St. Anthony’s Church festival that concluded recently.

Worried about depleting fish populations in the waters off Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, George constantly argued with the Tamil Nadu fishermen leaders, believing that they were responsible for it. They explained their helplessness and how a solution had to be arrived at by the governments for protecting the relationship between the fishermen of both nations.

Mr. George’s argument, which was based solely on the community’s experience of the sea and fishing, resonated with everyone present there. He said it had become more of a political situation rather than an issue of livelihood. “Talks between the fishermen of the two countries will help if only the two nations come forward to work out a feasible solution.”

St. Anthony’s Church is said to have been constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century by a Ramanathapuram merchant named Seenikuppan Padaytchi. Mostly, the fishermen community has been offering worship here since then.

Notwithstanding the controversies surrounding the islet and the ownership claim by the two nations, Katchatheevu has always remained a place of worship for the fishermen.

Babu, a fisherman from Talaimannar, who was visiting the place for the 12th year, says, “We believe that Anthoniyar [St. Anthony] will protect us all from losses, natural disasters, and wars.” He could not attend the church festival when the civil war raged in his country. He said those were the worst years of his life as he lost his business and family members to the war and many other things.

Mr. Babu clarified that the issue of defining the fishing boundaries that had been persisting since the islet was ceded to Sri Lanka by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974 had never prevented them from visiting the church. “Though we are aware that the Indian fishermen are not in agreement with their government’s decision on the ownership of the land, we have never disrespected or hated them,” he added.