Although we got the ownership of Katchatheevu Island as per the terms of the 1976 Treaty, we lost the sea belt where 80% of the fish could be harvested, said Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda.
He said this while speaking to the media about the remarks Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Mr. Starling had made at the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Summit that steps are under way to take back Katchatheevu Island.
The Minister further commented that every time elections are held in India, it has become a general topic to discuss about the return of the Katchatheevu Island.
1974 Treaty provided the opportunity for Sri Lankan fishermen to carry out fishing activities in the Indian Sea and Indian fishermen in the Sri Lankan waters. As a result, 6 large-scale fishing boats belonging to the Ceylon Shipping Corporation engaged in fishing activities in the Indian Sea. But with the amendment of this Treaty in 1976, fishermen in both countries lost this opportunity. According to this treaty, India withdrew from the Katchatheevu sea belt and India was given the opportunity to participate in the drying of the nets and the Katchatheevu Festival. By the treaty reached in 1976, although Katchatheevu owns to us, our fishermen have lost the sea area which is 80 times as large as Katchatheevu and abundant in fish resources.
Fishermen in the north confronted problems right throughout due to the illegal activities of the Indian fishermen. False propaganda is disseminated in India that Indian fishermen are harassed by army and navy of our country. But I have pointed out on many occasions to the central government of India and the government of Tamil Nadu orally and in writing that such propaganda is not true. Tamil politicians in the North should inform the central government of India and the government of Tamil Nadu that only the Indian fishermen who are engaged in illegal fishing are arrested by the Army of this country. The Minister further said that the issue of Katchatheevu is a topic that came to the fore only during the Indian elections and that the Tamil politicians of this country should go to India, meet the Indian politicians and explain the real situation to them.
