Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar has welcomed the observations made by the Indian Supreme Court regarding the issue of the Katchatheevu Island.
The Minister made these remarks in a statement issued on the matter.
The hearing on petitions seeking the retrieval of Katchatheevu Island, ceded to Sri Lanka by India under the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement signed in 1974 by then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, was held recently before the Indian Supreme Court.
During the proceedings, a bench led by Indian Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Kumar highlighted the need to educate Tamil Nadu fishermen on refraining from crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters.
The court emphasized that Tamil Nadu fishermen should be given clear instructions and adequate awareness, particularly when fishing in the waters surrounding Katchatheevu, to ensure they do not enter Sri Lankan territorial waters.
The court also explained the importance of respecting the International Maritime Boundary Line recognized by both countries.
Meanwhile, during the hearing, Justice Sanjay Kumar recalled that, during a visit to Sri Lanka, he had observed the sense of social responsibility demonstrated by the public in protecting the environment along beaches and in public places.
He noted that the attention given by Sri Lankan people to keeping public spaces clean and refraining from littering had particularly impressed him.
The judge observed that such a sense of social responsibility among Sri Lankans, together with their concern for protecting the marine environment, could make a positive contribution to the conservation of ocean resources.
He had also expressed views on the state of fish resources in Sri Lankan waters.
The case has now been postponed for further hearing in February 2027. The Indian Supreme Court is yet to determine the constitutional and legal validity of the 1974 and 1976 agreements.
Issuing a statement, Minister Chandrasekar said the Sri Lankan government welcomes the Indian Supreme Court's observations on the need to educate Tamil Nadu fishermen about refraining from unauthorized fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters.
“Protecting Sri Lanka’s marine resources and marine environment is a primary responsibility of our government. We have consistently opposed illegal and destructive fishing activities taking place within our maritime boundaries.
Foreign fishing vessels entering Sri Lankan waters without authorisation, particularly those employing fishing methods that damage the seabed, affect both the livelihoods of fishing communities in the Northern Province and our marine resources,” he said.
The Minister further stated that respecting the International Maritime Boundary Line and safeguarding the marine resources and livelihood rights of fishing communities in each country are essential to further strengthening the cordial relations between the two countries.
