Recent revelations from Sri Lankan documents shed light on India’s surrender of fishing rights near Katchatheevu Island in 1974, a fact that has sparked controversy amidst ongoing disputes over Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan authorities.
According to an RTI response by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in 1974, assurances were given to Karunanidhi that Indian fishermen would retain access to Katchatheevu Island as before. However, Sri Lanka contends that this was never the case.
A document from Sri Lanka’s then Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, presented in the Sri Lankan Parliament in September 2008, provides further clarity. Bogollagama referenced Article 6 of the 1974 India-Sri Lanka agreement, highlighting that it only preserved navigational rights for vessels of both countries over each other’s waters. He emphasised that the combined provisions of Articles 5 and 6 unequivocally indicate the relinquishment of fishing rights by India.
This revelation has reignited debates over the historical agreement and its implications for Indian fishermen who continue to face arrests by Sri Lankan authorities while fishing near Katchatheevu Island.
The 1976 agreement further solidified this understanding, explicitly stating the limitations on fishing rights near the island, as per the Sri Lankan document.
As tensions persist and diplomatic efforts intensify to address the plight of Indian fishermen, the Sri Lankan document provides crucial insights into the legal framework surrounding fishing rights in the region.
This revelation underscores the complexity of maritime disputes and the importance of diplomatic resolutions to ensure the equitable treatment of fishermen from both countries.
Source-News18
