<span style="color: #222222;">The annual festival of St Antony’s Shrine in Katchatheevu Island, Sri Lanka begins today afternoon, after traditional flag hoisting ceremonies. More than 3,000 devotees from India are being transported in country boats from today morning. In all, 75 boats as well as 22 country boats are being used to ferry the devotees.</span><br />” <br />” <span style="color: #222222;">It is notable that the citizens of India are not required to possess an Indian passport or Sri Lankan visa for visiting Kachchatheevu, according to an agreement between the two governments. </span><br />” <br />” <span style="color: #222222;">The mass and car procession in connection with the festival are conducted by priests from both India and Sri Lanka. The festival will conclude with holly mass tomorrow morning.</span><br />” <br />” <span style="color: #222222;">St Antony is worshiped as the patron saint of sea farers. The shrine is the only structure on the island and was built in the early years of the last century.</span><br />” &nbsp;