Katchadeevu Controversy: Protecting Interests or Targeting Fishermen?

Sri Lanka has broken the Silence over the Katchatheevu controversy, which has brought tension in the upcoming election. Sri Lankan Tamil politician, Cabinet Minister, and leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party Douglas Devananda has said that "there is no evidence in the information coming out of India about the recovery of Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka".

Controversies have increased in Tamil Nadu since Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai released documents obtained under the Right to Information Act (RTI) related to the Katchatheevu issue. Amidst the debate over who laid waste to Katchatheevu, demands for its recovery have increased.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has said that "there is no evidence in the information coming out of India about the recovery of Kachcha Island from Sri Lanka".

Douglas Devananda, interviewed in this regard, said, "It is election time in India. So it is normal to hear such claims and counter-claims about the island. I think India is acting on this issue based on its national interest to protect the island to ensure that Sri Lankan fishermen cannot enter the area and that Sri Lanka does not claim any rights to the fertile area.

However, there is no evidence in the information coming out in India regarding the rescue of the Sri Lankan controlled island of Katchatheevu. According to an agreement signed in 1974, fishermen from both countries can fish in Katchatheevu. But, in 1976, this agreement was modified. According to the amended agreement, fishermen from both countries are prohibited from fishing within the Katchatheevu area.

There claims to be a place called West Bank which is located below Kanyakumari - it is a much bigger area with extensive sea resources - it is 80 times bigger than Katchatheevu island, India secured it at the 1976 review agreement," he said.