Saturday Oct 10, 2026
Saturday Oct 10, 2026
Saturday, 10 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has welcomed observations by India’s Supreme Court that Tamil Nadu fishermen should be educated to avoid illegally entering Sri Lankan waters.
The observations were made during hearings on petitions seeking the return of Katchatheevu Island to India. In a statement, Chandrasekar said they 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 give Tamil Nadu fishermen clear instructions to prevent them from crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters, particularly around Katchatheevu.
“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.
He said protecting Sri Lanka’s marine resources and environment remained a key Government responsibility. He also 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 the Northern Province.
Chandrasekar 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. He also called for sustainable solutions to be pursued through bilateral discussions and diplomatic mechanisms.
The Indian Supreme Court has not delivered a final ruling on the legal validity of the 1974 and 1976 agreements, and further hearings in the Katchatheevu case have been postponed until February 2027.
Chandrasekar said the court’s observations were significant for protecting fishing communities, conserving marine resources and strengthening bilateral relations.
According to the statement, Justice Kumar also referred to observations from a visit to Sri Lanka, praising the public’s commitment to keeping beaches and public spaces clean and protecting the environment.
