Sri Lankan President Dissanayake Affirms India’s Stance on Katchatheevu Sovereignty

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has underscored the stable diplomatic ties between Colombo and New Delhi, pointing to the Indian central government’s recent submissions before the Supreme Court of India regarding the Katchatheevu Island. Speaking during a political rally in the North Western Province on October 11, the President highlighted that the Indian government has formally acknowledged the island’s status as a part of Sri Lankan territory.

Legal Developments at the Supreme Court

The President’s remarks follow ongoing legal proceedings in the Indian Supreme Court, where petitioners have challenged the historical 1974 and 1976 agreements that ceded the islet to Sri Lanka. During the recent hearing, India’s Attorney General, R. Venkataramani, clarified the federal government’s position. He informed the bench that New Delhi maintains “excellent relations” with its island neighbor and has no intention of revisiting or reopening the long-standing maritime agreements concerning Katchatheevu.

The case, which continues to draw attention due to its geopolitical and domestic implications, is currently set for further hearing in February 2027. The presiding bench, consisting of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Sanjiv Sachdeva, emphasized the importance of maritime discipline. The justices suggested that both the Indian central authorities and the Tamil Nadu state government hold a responsibility to sensitize local fishermen regarding the necessity of respecting the international maritime boundary and refraining from entering Sri Lankan waters.

The Persistent Fishing Conflict

The status of Katchatheevu remains a frequent flashpoint in bilateral relations, primarily due to the recurring detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. Authorities in Colombo have repeatedly voiced concerns over fishermen from India’s coastal districts crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) into resource-rich waters near Sri Lanka’s northern coast.

A significant point of contention is the use of bottom trawling by these fishermen—a practice categorized by Sri Lankan authorities as environmentally destructive and detrimental to the livelihoods of local fishing communities. The issue has often become a tool for political posturing on both sides of the Palk Strait, though the Indian government’s legal stance aims to reinforce the sanctity of the existing bilateral maritime accords.

Reassuring Regional Security

Beyond the issue of maritime boundaries, President Dissanayake used the platform to reiterate his commitment to regional security. Addressing concerns regarding external influences in the Indian Ocean region, he assured India that his administration would not permit the use of Sri Lankan airspace, land, or territorial waters in any capacity that could threaten Indian national security.

This commitment aligns with the President’s previous declarations regarding the protection of Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity. During a visit to the Katchatheevu region last year, Dissanayake emphasized that safeguarding the nation’s adjacent seas and islands remains a top priority for his government, signaling a desire to balance internal sovereignty with a collaborative and transparent partnership with India. As the legal battle continues in India’s highest court, both nations appear focused on managing the delicate balance between historical claims and the practical requirements of modern maritime diplomacy.

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