Context: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, urging the Union government to take steps to retrieve the Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka.

Meaning of the context: 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.”

Learning Corner:

• Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.
• Katchatheevu covers an area of around 285 acres (approximately 115 hectares) and is situated roughly 33 kilometers from Rameswaram and 62 kilometers from Jaffna.

History

• Originally controlled by the Raja of Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) during British rule.
• The British administration did not clearly define its sovereignty.
• After India’s independence (1947) and Sri Lanka’s independence (1948), both nations claimed the island.
• 1968 Agreement Between India and Sri Lanka
  • The Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement (1974) officially transferred Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
  • The agreement was signed between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike.
  • The treaty stated that Indian fishermen could continue to use the island for resting, drying their nets, and visiting the St. Antony’s Church for religious purposes.

Fishermen Disputes

• Indian fishermen, especially from Tamil Nadu, frequently enter waters around Katchatheevu for fishing.
• The Sri Lankan Navy arrests and detains Indian fishermen who are accused of illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
• Tamil Nadu fishermen claim traditional fishing rights over the area.
• The Sri Lankan government restricts Indian fishing activities, citing depletion of fish resources and violations of their maritime boundary.

Religious Significance

• The St. Antony’s Church, located on Katchatheevu, is an important place of worship.
• It hosts an annual Catholic festival, attended by both Indian and Sri Lankan pilgrims. The event is an example of cultural and religious ties between the two nations.

Source : The Hindu