Boat carrying devotees to Palaitheevu St. Anthony’s feast capsizes; Two dead

6 March 2026 12:43 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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By Thevatharsan Sukinthan

Colombo, March 6 (Daily Mirror) - A boat carrying devotees from Jaffna to Palaitheevu Island for a religious festival capsized shortly after departure on Friday, leaving two people dead while several others who fell into the sea were rescued and admitted to hospital.

The boat had left the Kurunagar area in Jaffna carrying devotees travelling to attend the annual feast of St. Anthony’s Church Palaitheevu.

According to reports, the vessel capsized just a few minutes after beginning its journey.

The bodies of the two victims have been handed over to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

The annual festival at the church began yesterday with the flag-hoisting ceremony, while the main festival mass is scheduled to be held tomorrow.

Meanwhile, rescue operations are continuing to locate and assist the remaining passengers who were on board the boat, with local fishermen in the area actively taking part in the efforts.

Comments - 8

Kirihāmi Friday, 06 March 2026 01:05 PM

Oh, my god! Where the ... are you?

5 17

NS Friday, 06 March 2026 01:08 PM

Christ bless them, though he couldn't save his devotees, like the Easter Sunday mayhem.

7 20

CY Friday, 06 March 2026 02:41 PM

@NS In a time of annihilation of the nations, a typical one whistles as usual without bultieeee.

0 0

Sheena Friday, 06 March 2026 10:53 PM

Oh don't worry. His sheep are not lost. He keeps them close to Him. As for the Easter Sunday attacks, His vengeance will be seen when His patience runs out.

16 1

Ram P Friday, 06 March 2026 02:40 PM

Sad to hear pilgrims facing this kind of disaster. The boat must have been overloaded Sri Lankan style. Blessings to the deceased and the injured

0 0

Weary Friday, 06 March 2026 02:50 PM

These so called ferries are death traps and operate through out the north. No regulations on numbers allowed on board, no way of escape from the hold. Once the passenger hold is packed sardine like, then passengers and goods are loaded topside, horendous. Engine is a two cylinder job in the passenger hold, fuel tank is a plastic and fixed above the engine and tied in place with string! As for the throttle and tiller controls, well, that another matter. I say this having experienced such a trip last month, refused to board on the return and paid for a private ferry which was of similar construction but just a group of five passengers! The car ferrys are similar ramshackle construction. None are fit for animals never mind people.

0 2

Danny Friday, 06 March 2026 04:41 PM

Nearly 50 years back, in similar way, 127 devotees drowned in mid journey due to over capacity.

0 0

M Fernando Friday, 06 March 2026 09:20 PM

Attacked by US submarine as Hegseth confirmed. Heroic Americans torpedoes enemy rowing boat carrying two dangerous pilgrims !

2 0

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