Sri Lanka welcomes Indian Supreme Court observations on Katchatheevu fishing dispute

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, has welcomed observations made by the Indian Supreme Court calling for Tamil Nadu fishermen to be educated on the need to avoid entering Sri Lankan waters illegally.

In a statement, the Minister said the court’s observations, made during hearings on petitions seeking the return of Katchatheevu Island to India, highlighted the importance of respecting the internationally recognised maritime boundary between the two countries.

According to the statement, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar stressed the need to provide clear instructions to Tamil Nadu fishermen to prevent them from crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters, particularly around Katchatheevu Island.

“We welcome the observations made by the Indian Supreme Court regarding the need to educate Tamil Nadu fishermen to refrain from illegally entering Sri Lankan waters for fishing,” Chandrasekar said.

The Minister said protecting Sri Lanka’s marine resources and environment remained a key government responsibility.

He expressed concern over illegal and destructive fishing practices by foreign vessels, particularly methods that damage the seabed and threaten the livelihoods of fishing communities in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

Chandrasekar also reiterated Sri Lanka’s position on the bilateral agreements signed with India in 1974 concerning Katchatheevu and in 1976 regarding maritime boundaries and fishing rights.

He said the agreements were based on longstanding diplomatic understandings between the two countries and stressed the importance of respecting maritime boundaries while protecting fishermen’s livelihoods.

The Minister further emphasised the need to pursue sustainable solutions through bilateral discussions and diplomatic mechanisms.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, Justice Sanjay Kumar also referred to his observations during a visit to Sri Lanka, praising the public’s commitment to maintaining clean beaches and public spaces and protecting the environment.

The Indian Supreme Court has not delivered a final ruling on the legal validity of the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka. Further hearings in the Katchatheevu case have been postponed until February 2027.

The Minister said the court’s observations were significant for protecting fishing communities, conserving marine resources and strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India. (Newswire)

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