Image released by Sri Lankan President’s office
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made an unannounced visit to Katchatheevu island on Monday, just days after actor-turned-politician Vijay’s remarks on the island reignited debate over its status. Once claimed by both India and Sri Lanka, the dispute over Katchatheevu was formally resolved in 1974, with New Delhi relinquishing its claim.A statement from the Sri Lankan President’s Office described the visit as an “inspection” following a day of development activities in Jaffna.“Following his participation today in a series of inauguration and development programmes in Jaffna, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake undertook an inspection visit to Katchatheevu Island,” according to the statement.“Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala and Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Commander Northern Naval Area also joined the President on this visit,” it added.The visit comes amid renewed focus on fishermen’s rights in the region. A 1976 treaty between India and Sri Lanka prohibits fishermen from either country from entering the other’s territorial waters — a policy that has long been a point of friction, particularly among Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities, who often face arrests or confrontations by the Sri Lankan Navy. It was against this backdrop that actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay, who launched his party in February 2024, raised the issue during a political rally in Madurai on August 21, directly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”Nearly 800 fishermen have suffered due to attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy. I am not asking you to do anything big to condemn this. Please do something very small. Retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka at least now for our fishermen’s safety. That would be enough,” Vijay said.In response, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Vijitha Herath dismissed the remarks as “poll-time rhetoric.”“Elections are slated to be held in South India, and candidates will make various statements on the election stage to obtain votes. This is not the first time. Even in the past, similar claims have been made during election campaigns,” Herath said at a weekly press briefing in Colombo, while reaffirming Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over the island.Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold assembly elections in April-May 2026, making Katchatheevu a potentially significant political talking point in the months ahead.
