T.N. Assembly unanimously adopts resolution on Katchatheevu retrieval from Sri Lanka

Tamil Nadu Assembly urges Modi to retrieve Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka to protect fishermen's rights.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to take steps to retrieve the Katchatheevu island, located in Palk Bay, from Sri Lanka.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said “Retrieval of Katchatheevu island is the only permanent solution to protect the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen and to mitigate the sufferings faced by them due to the Sri Lankan Navy.”

To get today’s top stories from the State in your inbox, subscribe to our Tamil Nadu Today newsletter

The resolution urged the Union government to immediately review the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement 1974 and take steps to retrieve Katchatheevu island. The resolution also urged the Prime Minister to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government to get all imprisoned fishermen released along with their boats on a goodwill basis, during his official visit to Sri Lanka.

Introducing the resolution, Mr. Stalin said the continued attacks on Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy has become an ongoing and unending tragedy, despite there being a political change in Sri Lanka. “The Union government often forgets that fishermen from Tamil Nadu are also Indian fishermen. Therefore I emphasise that they are Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu…Before the 2014 Parliamentary elections, Mr. Modi said that not a single fisherman would be arrested if the BJP comes to power. Yet, the attacks continue unabated. When our fishermen, who have traditional fishing rights, put out to sea for fishing, they were arrested and their boats were seized by the Sri Lankan government,” Mr. Stalin said.

“In 2024 alone, 530 fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. These fishermen were given maximum prison sentences or hefty fines with the claim that they crossed the maritime boundary. It is a matter of great concern that the Sri Lankan government and its Navy treat our fishermen with such cruelty, without any compassion, depriving them of their livelihoods. This is condemnable. The Union BJP government must take action to stop it,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said he has written 74 letters to the Prime Minister and Union Minister for External Affairs on this issue. “Whenever I meet the Prime Minister, I emphasise on this issue. Despite repeated efforts for talks between the fishermen of both countries, no constructive outcomes have been reached. Sri Lanka’s continued actions of arresting fishermen and seizing boats have led to a dire situation for Tamil Nadu fishermen. Their livelihoods are severely affected and their traditional fishing rights are under threat. Their families live in constant fear for their safety. How long can we tolerate this situation? The only viable and permanent solution to this issue is the retrieval of Katchatheevu,” he said.