The people prayed for the dead in the civil war; they prayed for political peace both in India and Sri Lanka; the sermons of the priests were loaded with political undertones. They prayed for the speedy release of the displaced Tamils. Christianity in Sri Lanka has been the backbone of the Tamil struggle for rights. This was reflected in the religious ceremony too. Father Amalraj, priest from the Delft Island under whose Parish the church falls, made arrangements for the festival. “This island is used by the poorest of the poor fishermen. They are benefited by the benevolence of St Antony who owns this island. This is only a feast to thank him,” he told me.
Since he was three years old, Sam Jesudoss, originally of Delf Island, has been to the festival before. Now at 73, he has come with a lot of hope. “There was a time when more than 8,000 people came for the festival. It was an opportunity for many to sell and buy things. But after the war, everything stopped,” lamented the man who had spent a year in Tamil Nadu as a refugee.
When asked about the elections and LTTE, many Lankan Tamils simply don’t like to speak. A twenty-year-old youngster from Mannar, said that Prabhakaran was still alive. Many said they had no future in Sri Lanka. “They have allowed this festival for political gains. The parliamentary elections are due soon. They want to tap Tamil votes,” said an elderly person from Jaffna who did not want to be named. What about the recent presidential elections? “The Tamils voted for Gen. Fonseka,” said another man.
The first day’s ceremonies came to an end at ten in the night. At some distance in the sea, the Sri Lankan Navy boats, once feared by Indian fishermen, stood wobbling in the waters with powerful lights blinking. Some eighty odd fishing boats stood further behind in the middle of the vast darkness. In the near by navy post, blue uniformed navy personnel stood vigil. Early morning and the church was bustling with activity. A friendly scribe from Jaffna said the number of participants from the Lankan side would have been more had the government allowed them.
Indians were in a chirpy mood as they went on clicking photos with Sri Lankan Navy personnel and pretty Lankan policewomen. The mood was just the opposite in the Sri Lankan camp. People knelt in front of the cross on Kachatheevu after 28 years - their hearts full of sorrow, their faces grim. The community has lost many in the devastating war. For once, I was wondering if divine intervention could soothe their wounds.
Since he was three years old, Sam Jesudoss, originally of Delf Island, has been to the festival before. Now at 73, he has come with a lot of hope. “There was a time when more than 8,000 people came for the festival. It was an opportunity for many to sell and buy things. But after the war, everything stopped,” lamented the man who had spent a year in Tamil Nadu as a refugee.
When asked about the elections and LTTE, many Lankan Tamils simply don’t like to speak. A twenty-year-old youngster from Mannar, said that Prabhakaran was still alive. Many said they had no future in Sri Lanka. “They have allowed this festival for political gains. The parliamentary elections are due soon. They want to tap Tamil votes,” said an elderly person from Jaffna who did not want to be named. What about the recent presidential elections? “The Tamils voted for Gen. Fonseka,” said another man.
The first day’s ceremonies came to an end at ten in the night. At some distance in the sea, the Sri Lankan Navy boats, once feared by Indian fishermen, stood wobbling in the waters with powerful lights blinking. Some eighty odd fishing boats stood further behind in the middle of the vast darkness. In the near by navy post, blue uniformed navy personnel stood vigil. Early morning and the church was bustling with activity. A friendly scribe from Jaffna said the number of participants from the Lankan side would have been more had the government allowed them.
Indians were in a chirpy mood as they went on clicking photos with Sri Lankan Navy personnel and pretty Lankan policewomen. The mood was just the opposite in the Sri Lankan camp. People knelt in front of the cross on Kachatheevu after 28 years - their hearts full of sorrow, their faces grim. The community has lost many in the devastating war. For once, I was wondering if divine intervention could soothe their wounds.
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