Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has welcomed observations by the Indian Supreme Court that Tamil Nadu fishermen should be told not to enter Sri Lankan waters illegally.
A bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar made the remarks during hearings on petitions seeking the return of Katchatheevu Island to India, according to a statement from the Minister.
Chandrasekar said Sri Lanka’s position rests on its 1974 agreement with India on Katchatheevu and the 1976 agreement on maritime boundaries and fishing rights. He voiced concern over destructive fishing by foreign vessels, including methods that damage the seabed, which he said threaten fishing communities in the Northern Province.
The Indian Supreme Court has not ruled on the legal validity of the two agreements.
Further hearings in the case have been postponed until February 2027.
