Sri Lanka welcomes Indian court's stance on Katchatheevu fishing dispute

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar has welcomed observations made by India's Supreme Court addressing the ongoing dispute over fishing rights near Katchatheevu. During recent hearings on petitions relating to the island, the Indian court highlighted the importance of educating Tamil Nadu fishermen to avoid unauthorised entry into Sri Lankan territorial waters.

In a formal statement, Minister Chandrasekar said the court's comments represent a constructive step toward resolving tensions between fishermen from both nations. He noted that the judicial observations align with Sri Lanka's position on protecting its maritime sovereignty and enforcing existing maritime agreements.

The Katchatheevu dispute has long been a source of friction between the two countries, with Tamil Nadu fishermen regularly crossing into Sri Lankan waters to fish. Sri Lanka has repeatedly raised concerns about illegal fishing activities, which it says undermine local livelihoods and breach international maritime law.

The Indian Supreme Court's call for enhanced awareness and education programs among fishermen from the southern Indian state suggests a judicial acknowledgement of the need for preventative measures. Officials in Colombo view the remarks as tacit support for stricter enforcement of maritime boundaries in the region.