The annual feast of St. Anne’s Church Thalawila begins today (August 01) after several interruptions over the past years due to the security situation. Thousands of Sri Lankan devotees irrespective of religious beliefs participate in the annual feast.

However, a fire had reportedly broken out in the vicinity of the church yesterday which had destroyed about five hectares of a coconut plantation at the adjoining Kelepalliya Church. The fire Brigade with the assistance of the security forces managed to extinguish the fire. No damage was caused to either of the churches due to the fire, Kelepalliya and St. Anne’s Church parish priest Rev. Father Nelson Perera told the media. The feast will go ahead as planned, he added.

The Sri Lanka Railways will operate a special train service to facilitate traveling for the devotees. This special train service will operate to and from the Moratuwa and Colombo Fort railway stations to Palavi in Puttalam till August 02 (Monday).