According to Sri Lankan Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, the recent assertions from India regarding the “reclaiming” of Kachchatheevu island from Sri Lanka lack any factual basis. Devananda, a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician, made these remarks following allegations by the Narendra Modi government against the Congress Party and its ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. The allegations accused these parties of neglecting national interests in the ceding of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka in 1974.
The BJP has also criticized the two parties for failing to safeguard the rights of fishermen seeking to fish in the waters surrounding Katchatheevu island.
Speaking to reporters in Jaffna, Devananda stated, “It is election time in India, and it is not uncommon to hear such assertions and counterclaims regarding Kachchatheevu.” He further suggested that India’s actions might be motivated by its own interests to secure the area and prevent Sri Lankan fishermen from accessing it.
Devananda emphasized that the claims of “reclaiming” Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka hold no validity. He explained that according to the 1974 agreement, fishermen from both countries were permitted to fish in each other’s territorial waters. However, this agreement was later reviewed and amended in 1976 to prohibit fishing in neighboring waters for fishermen from both countries.
Regarding the controversy surrounding Katchatheevu island, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refrained from commenting directly. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal directed attention to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent statements on the issue, suggesting that the answers could be found in his press engagements.
