Jaffna Fishermen’s Leader Welcomes Indian Court’s Remarks on Katchatheevu

Anthony Pillai Mariyadas, president of the Jaffna District Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies Federation, has welcomed the Indian Supreme Court’s remarks on the Katchatheevu issue, saying Tamil Nadu politicians can no longer mislead voters by using the island as an election campaign promise.

He made these remarks during a press conference held at the Jaffna District Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies Federation on Friday.

Mariyadas said Tamil Nadu politicians had repeatedly promised to reclaim Katchatheevu during election campaigns, claiming that the island and its surrounding fishing grounds belonged to Tamil Nadu fishermen. He alleged that such statements were used to mislead fishing communities and gain votes.

He also referred to actor-turned-politician Vijay, who campaigned on reclaiming Katchatheevu during the previous election campaign, before becoming the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

“We have consistently maintained that Katchatheevu falls within Sri Lankan waters and have repeatedly urged Indian fishermen not to enter our territorial waters for fishing,” Mariyadas said.

He welcomed the Indian Supreme Court’s recent observations, which he said reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s position on Katchatheevu and highlighted the Indian government’s commitment to maintaining good diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.

Mariyadas further said that politicians in Tamil Nadu should stop using the Katchatheevu issue for electoral gains and urged the public to understand the realities surrounding the dispute.

He expressed hope that the issue would no longer be exploited for political purposes in future elections in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu.