The Katchatheevu Island belongs to Sri Lanka and will not be handed over to any other party under any circumstances, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar asserted yesterday (29).

Fisheries Minister Chandrasekar noted that illegal fishing carried out by Indian fishermen in the Northern waters are leading to the destruction of marine resources.

The minister expressed these views following a statement made by Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S. Jaishankar at a public event, where he claimed that the rights of Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters granted under an emergency agreement with Sri Lanka, had been violated.

Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar opined that it is common during election periods in India, discussions about the Katchatheevu Island and Indian fishermen surface on political platforms.

Chandrasekar highlighted the destruction brought by Indian fishermen who illegally enter Sri Lankan waters in enmasse and use banned fishing practices like bottom trawling has caused irreversible damage to coastal marine ecosystem.

He said more than 30% of the Northern population relies on the fishing industry and therefore they will take required measures to safeguard their livelihoods.