St. Anthony’s Church to be ready for June feast

By Darshana Sanjeewa   

The renovations to St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, which began on April 27, would be hopefully completed prior to its feast in June, the Sri Lanka Navy said yesterday.   
Navy Spokesman Lieutenant Commander Isuru Suriyabandara said they were hoping to complete the renovations before the feast in June.   

The volunteers of the Sri Lanka Navy are conducting renovations of the church which came under a terrorist suicide attack on April 21st, the Easter Sunday.   

Lieutenant Commander Suriyabandara said they have estimated Rs. 30 million would be spent to restore the church back to its former glory.   

“The renovations are being carried under the guidance of the architect who designed St. Anthony’s Church at Kachchaithivu which was inaugurated a few years ago, to ensure that the church has its intricate details preserved,” he said.   

The renovations of the church began with a cleaning programme held on April 27. 

 
A group consisting of over 100 naval officers and sailors were deployed in the cleaning programme which was supervised by the Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.   

The debris from the suicide attack and remaining items were removed and the entire church premises was washed clean.   

Navy’s fire engine trucks, water bowsers and trucks were used for the cleaning effort. Meanwhile, the Navy has also commenced the repair work of the church, in a bid to restore it to the former condition.   

Pix courtesy: SL Navy