Controversy continues over Katchatheevu island
This statement of the Sri Lankan minister has come to light when PM Modi and his government in India are accusing the Congress Party and DMK Party of ignoring the national interests regarding Katchatheevu Island. The BJP government alleges that the Congress and the DMK ignored the interests of fishermen fishing around Katchatheevu island. Now on this, Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda has said that it is election time in India and it is not unusual to hear such things regarding Katchatheevu Island.
‘India is working for its interests’
Devanand said that I think India is working for its interests and is trying to allow Indian fishermen to fish at that place. However, he said that the statements issued regarding Sri Lanka’s occupation of Katchatheevu have no basis. He said that according to the 1974 agreement, fishermen from both the countries could fish around Katchatheevu Island, but it was later reviewed and amended in 1976. Under the amendment, fishermen from both the countries were banned from fishing around Katchatheevu Island.
The Sri Lankan minister said that under the agreement between India and Sri Lanka, India’s claim on West Bank, another island located near Kanyakumari, was accepted. Devananda said the West Bank island is 80 times larger than Katchatheevu island. Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has faced pressure from local fishermen in recent months. Sri Lankan fishermen allege that Indian fishermen are fishing in their waters. Sri Lankan fishermen had also protested regarding this. So far this year, 178 Indian fishermen and their 23 boats have been seized by the Sri Lankan Navy.