St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade

St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Kotahena (Colombo 13), Sri Lanka, is a Catholic national shrine and minor basilica that draws worshippers of many faiths, especially on Tuesdays, the saint's day of devotion. It was one of the sites attacked in the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019 and was restored and reopened later that year. Anyone can visit.

Father Antonio and the sea that pulled back

Tradition says a priest named Antonio founded it during Dutch rule, when Catholic worship was banned. He hid among fishermen at Mutwal disguised as a merchant; legend says the sea pulled back after he planted a cross and prayed on the beach, and the Dutch gave him land, where he built a mud-brick chapel. He is buried in the church.

The Neoclassical church consecrated in 1834

The chapel was enlarged in 1806, and a statue of St Anthony arrived from Goa in 1822. Work on the Neoclassical church began in 1828 and it was consecrated on 1 June 1834. Side wings and a choir gallery were added in 1938, and it was reconsecrated on 16 February 1940. A small relic said to be from St Anthony's tongue is kept in a glass case near the entrance.

The 2019 bombing and reopening

At least 93 people were killed in the blast here on 21 April 2019. The church reopened on 12 June 2019 after Navy-led repairs. In April 2025 the Vatican recognised 167 Catholics killed in the Kochchikade and Negombo church bombings as witnesses of faith.