After President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed a rally in Mannar and expressed his concerns over several illicit operations allegedly taking place in the Pesalai area of Mannar, Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya, speaking to The Sunday Morning, said that the Navy was engaged in full-time patrolling of the region to curtail the number of illegal operations.
“The Navy is conducting full-time patrols in the Mannar region to counter smuggling of narcotics, illegal fishing, and other illicit activities, including the encroachment of Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters,” stated Capt. Wickramasuriya, underscoring Sri Lanka’s heightened maritime security measures.
This intensified surveillance comes amid a decades-long fishing dispute between Sri Lanka and India, fuelled by destructive bottom trawling, economic losses for local fishermen, and recurring diplomatic tensions.
While the two Governments continue negotiations for a lasting solution, President Dissanayake’s recent warning in Mannar, that illegal fishing would face strict enforcement of the law, signals a firmer stance.
Meanwhile, political posturing from Tamil Nadu over the Katchatheevu Island has further complicated matters, although Sri Lankan officials maintain that the territory’s sovereignty is legally settled and irrelevant to fisheries negotiations.
Core of the conflict: Bottom trawling and encroachment
At the heart of the Sri Lanka-India fishing dispute lies the destructive practice of bottom trawling by Indian fishermen, primarily from Tamil Nadu, who routinely cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). This method, which involves dragging heavy nets across the ocean floor, has devastated marine ecosystems, destroying coral reefs and seabed habitats.
“Our seabeds are being systematically destroyed,” warned Deputy Minister of Fisheries Rathna Gamage. “While only a small group of Indian fishermen continue this illegal activity, the environmental and economic consequences for Sri Lanka are severe.”
The impact extends beyond ecological damage. Sri Lankan fishermen face recurring losses, with many reporting destroyed nets, damaged boats, and dwindling catches due to collisions with larger Indian trawlers. Capt. Wickramasuriya also emphasised that Indian vessels were often steel hulled and technologically advanced, posing severe hazards to Sri Lanka’s fishing industry as a whole.
To combat the issue, Sri Lanka has implemented a two-tier enforcement system: first-time offenders are typically warned and released, while repeat violators face arrest and prosecution.
However, Deputy Minister Gamage stressed that patience was wearing thin. “We have consistently engaged with India diplomatically, but if its fishermen continue to flout the rules, we will have no choice but to treat them as violators of our sovereignty. If the fishermen have the audacity to breach the laws of their own country and the promises of their leaders in order to venture into our territory, then the Indian Government needs to act against them and deter them from committing these crimes repeatedly,” he stated.
Gamage further stated that the Sri Lankan Government had urged the Indian Government to prosecute the fishermen who had repeatedly breached the boundaries and provide them with alternative approaches to prevent the Indian fishermen from repeating the crimes. “If that does not work, our law will be enforced strictly; they will be treated as offenders under our law,” he warned.
The Navy has reinforced these measures through round-the-clock patrols in sensitive zones like Mannar. “We have observed not just illegal fishing but also smuggling and other illicit activities in these waters. Our operations are intelligence-led and we are committed to protecting Sri Lanka’s maritime resources,” revealed Capt. Wickramasuriya.
Despite these efforts, the cycle of encroachment persists, highlighting the need for stronger bilateral cooperation. “India has given assurances, but enforcement on their side remains inconsistent,” noted Deputy Minister Gamage.
India’s role: Between diplomacy and domestic politics
The Sri Lanka-India fishing dispute remains a complex diplomatic challenge, with New Delhi’s promises of cooperation often clashing with on-ground realities.
“Progress has been made and both sides are committed to a solution,” said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra, referencing upcoming high-level talks between the two nations. A joint working group is expected to convene soon to address critical issues including stricter monitoring of fishing activities and the development of alternative livelihoods for Indian fishermen to reduce dependence on destructive bottom trawling practices, according to Hemachandra.
However, the path to resolution faces political hurdles from India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, where the fishing issue remains an emotive electoral topic. The State Assembly recently passed a resolution reasserting claims over Katchatheevu Island, a move Hemachandra firmly dismissed as political posturing.
“Katchatheevu was legally settled in 1974 through proper bilateral agreements,” he emphasised, adding: “Tamil Nadu cannot dictate India’s foreign policy. These matters are the exclusive domain of the Central Government, even though I concede that their federalism is strong.
“There are judicial precedents affirming the Central Government’s exclusive authority in such matters. Therefore, Tamil Nadu’s resolution, while politically significant in a local context, has no bearing on Sri Lanka-India bilateral relations.”
The periodic resurgence of the Katchatheevu debate represents what Sri Lankan officials characterise as political theatre rather than substantive diplomacy. The small, uninhabited island was formally ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974 through the Indo-Sri Lankan maritime agreement.
Hemachandra noted with confidence that “the Indian Central Government has not contested Sri Lanka’s sovereignty” over the island, characterising Tamil Nadu’s actions as domestic politicking rather than a genuine diplomatic challenge.
Deputy Minister of Fisheries Gamage reinforced this position while drawing a clear distinction between the island’s status and current fisheries disputes. “You cannot equate matters of a state assembly with the role of a national government. We are two sovereign nations, and we engage with the Indian Government and not other federal structures,” he stated dismissively.
The disconnect between New Delhi’s commitments and Tamil Nadu’s stance creates ongoing tensions. While Indian federal authorities have pledged cooperation in curbing illegal fishing, enforcement remains inconsistent at the local level.
“We continue our dialogue with the Indian Government in good faith,” Hemachandra stated. “But ultimately, the proof will be in tangible results which mean fewer intrusions, reduced ecological damage, and respect for maritime boundaries.”
When asked if potential tensions between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu could escalate, Hemachandra rejected the notion. “Not particularly. South Indian political parties, regardless of whether it is the DMK, AIADMK, Congress Party, or BJP, often use issues like Katchatheevu for political mileage. They know that these topics resonate with certain voter bases, especially during election cycles,” he said.
As both nations prepare for another round of negotiations, Sri Lankan officials remain cautiously optimistic. “The mechanisms for cooperation exist,” Hemachandra noted. “But what we need now is consistent implementation and political will from all stakeholders on the Indian side.”
The coming months will test whether diplomatic channels can overcome regional politics to deliver a sustainable solution to this decades-old dispute.
Navy’s vigilant watch in the north
The Sri Lanka Navy has significantly intensified its maritime operations in the country’s northern waters, implementing round-the-clock surveillance to combat multiple security threats.
“We have deployed increased patrols across the northern maritime zone to address illegal fishing, smuggling networks, and narcotics trafficking,” stated Capt. Wickramasuriya. These enhanced operations have already yielded results, with several foreign vessels engaged in illicit activities being intercepted and detained in recent weeks.
Capt. Wickramasuriya emphasised the Navy’s intelligence-driven approach to maritime security: “Our operations are continuously adjusted based on real-time intelligence inputs. While we have maintained a consistent presence in these waters, we are constantly refining our tactics and deploying assets where they are most needed. Our primary focus remains unwavering – that is protecting Sri Lanka’s maritime sovereignty and safeguarding our nation’s marine resources.”
The 2025 maritime security Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India has added a new dimension to these efforts, although Capt. Wickramasuriya was careful to clarify its limitations: “While the MOU strengthens strategic cooperation between our navies, it in no way restricts our right to enforce Sri Lankan maritime laws.”
The Navy maintains robust communication channels with Indian counterparts, with Capt. Wickramasuriya noting: “We have established strong working relationships with Indian authorities to prevent misunderstandings and coordinate when necessary.”
These operations occur against a complex backdrop of cross-border challenges. “The threats we face are multifaceted,” he explained. “Some incidents involve foreign elements, while others originate domestically. In many cases, we are dealing with transnational networks that operate across maritime boundaries.”
The Navy’s strategy combines constant vigilance with strategic coordination, ensuring Sri Lanka’s northern waters remain secure against all forms of illegal activity.
The resolution of the fishing dispute hinges on a balanced, three-pronged approach, which includes diplomatic engagement through structured negotiations and joint patrols, economic alternatives including modernised fisheries and livelihood transitions for Indian fishermen, and ecological protection via strict bans on bottom trawling and marine conservation zones.