Tamil Nadu Assembly passes resolution to reclaim Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu assembly has passed a resolution for the Union government to reclaim the Katchatheevu Island.

This move comes ahead of Modi’s scheduled visit to the neighbouring island from April 4 to 6.

Leading the discussion in the legislative assembly, Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that the harassment and arrests of Tamil Nadu’s fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy are a humanitarian and sovereignty issue.

Breaking the usual divide in the assembly, the resolution for Katchatheevu island’s retrieval was also backed by the opposition AIAMDK,?BJP?and Congress.

The opposition parties further made an appeal to Stalin to rise above party lines and support the resolution.

The resolution called for the “retrieval of Katchatheevu islet is the only permanent solution to protect the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen and to mitigate the sufferings faced by them due to the Sri Lankan Navy.”

“Considering the above, this august House unanimously urges the Union Government to immediately review the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement and take all steps to retrieve Katchatheevu island; and urges the Honourable Prime Minister of India, to hold talks with the Sri Lankan Government to get all our imprisoned fishermen released along with their boats on a goodwill basis, during his official visit to Sri Lanka,” it added further.

The Katchatheevu Island is a disputed islet between India and Sri Lanka. Both countries have claimed sovereignty over the island, especially for fishing rights.

However, India ceded the island to Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976 under the Indo-Sri Lankan agreements. (Outlook)