Katchatheevu (කච්චතිව්)-The bordering island of Sri Lanka

Year and Month	2016 February 20th and 21st
Number of Days	Two days
Crew	02-Amila and My self
Accommodation	Our own tent
Transport	Bus and boat
Activities	Photography and just visiting
Weather	Sunny
Route	Polonnaruwa->Jaffna->KKT jetty->Katchatheevu->Back to KKT->Jaffna->Colombo
Tips, Notes and Special remark	There is the only opportunity for the year to visit at Katchatheevu island. It is the festival of St. Anthony church. Otherwise public can’t visit the island. Be alert of the dates of festival. It may be varied but usually on a week end of February or March. If you have a Navy contact in northern area they will know it. According to my experience of this year: No need to bring drinking water. There are enough water tanks filled with drinking water. Navy will give dinner and following day breakfast. There are number of shops to buy snacks, soft drinks and biscuits. Therefore no need to worry about food. But prices are high. Carry a tent if possible. But most devotees slept on the mats without cover. This is not a kind of trip. A pilgrimage. Therefore behave accordingly. All kind of mobile phone signals available. Even WiFi facilities were available for media. Don’t put garbage everywhere. Dump them at relevant places only. You are not allowed to walk around the island beyond security zones. Transport: You can come to KKT jetty and get into one of fishermen boats. It is recommended to wear life jackets when you are in the boat. No need to book boats beforehand. But there might be a long queue. It may costs Rs 250-300. The journey is around 3 hours long from KKT to Katchatheevu. If you experiences vomiting in the sea better have anti emetics before get into the boat. ***Special thanks to Amila. Some photographs belong to him.
Related Resources	Wikipedia article of Katchatheevu Island
Author	Niroshan
Comments	Discuss this trip report, provide feedback or make suggestions at Lakdasun Forum on the thread Katchatheevu (කච්චතිව්)-The bordering island of Sri Lanka

Though Sri Lanka is an island of Indian Ocean, it also has few islands. Most of them are situated closer to Jaffna Peninsula. Delft is the largest of them but Katchatheevu is the farthest out of them.
The area of Katchatheevu Island is 285 acres and it was a debatable island between Sri Lanka and India as it was situated along the border. With the agreement of 1974, it was declared as an island of Sri Lanka but devotees of India can participate for the annual festival without visa.

Where is Katchatheevu situated

History of Katchatheevu Island
1. This island was originated from a volcanic eruption that occurred in 14th century.

2. This was owned by Ramanad kingdom of Ramanathapuram district (Tamil Nadu)

3. Since 1921 Sri Lanka started calming territorial rights over the island.

4. Till 1974 this island was administered by both governments.

5. In 1974 Indian government has identified the ownership of Sri Lanka.

6. There is a catholic shrine built for St.Anthony by Srinivasa Padaiyachi. This was declared as holy place by both governments

Earlier this was a rest point of fishermen of both countries but nowadays it is a pure navy base.

We have reached Kuraikattuwan (KKT) jetty by 5.30am and Wada Tharakai boat was ready to board passengers. It was reserved to transport policemen who were on duty at festival and few government workers. It’s departure happened sharp at 6am. As it was difficult to stay at down compartment of the cruise we came to the deck soon it left. Even with a mechanical error Wada Tharakai reached Katchatheevu Island jetty by 9am. Jetty was a temporary one built by the Navy.
At the entrance all devotees were registered as group wise and issued a token to get food issued by Navy. It was around 8000 people from both countries registered here.
There was a well paved jeep trek from the jetty to the church and Navy camp. On the way we have noticed different shops selling food items, toys and clothes. There was a bank as well.

Vada Tharakai boat with it’s passengers

“Vada Tharakai”-උතුරු තරුව

The view of Nagadeepa Island when we passed it

The knot

Reached the jetty at Katchatheevu

At registration desk

We were at the entrance-photo belongs to Amila De Silva

On the way to church

So common at Katchatheevu

King coconut price was Rs 100

Circulating Indian currencies

An important notice to remember

Bank of Ceylon branch

Red Cross tent

We have unloaded our things first at the tent. There was a VIP premises just next to the church area. We camped at the border of VIP premises. Then we walked around the Island.
This island mainly has a catholic church for St.Anthony and small Navy camp. Island was covered with thickly grown bushes with few large trees. There were number of coral reefs closer to the shore.
Devotees have camped around the church as well as along the shore.

St.Anthony Church at Katchatheevu

St.Anthony shrine

The St.Anthony statue

Temporary built hut for the mass

Devotees camped around the church

Waving flags

Navy base

Beach was decorated

Beautiful coral reef found closer to the beach

The area for bathing for devotees

Katchatheevu beach

Devotees were enjoying the bath and protection from Navy life guards

Another end of coral

Coral reefs

This kind of thick shrub covering Whole Island

The beach closer to the jetty

A boat with devotees reaching the jetty

Boats roaming around the jetty

To be sold

Our tent-Photo belongs to Amila De Silva

There were two masses for Holy St.Anthony. The evening mass was done by south Indian fathers after flagging ceremony. That day night they have blessed the sea by bringing the holy shrine around the sea. The morning mass was done by our fathers and it ended up the Katchatheevu festival 2016.
It should appreciate the service done by Sri Lanka Navy. They have arranged everything since one month time and it was a successful festival.