Main problem is Indian illegal fishing, not possession of Katchatheevu

SRI Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake (AKD) made history when he became the first Sri Lankan head of state to set foot on Katchatheevu (spelled as Kachchatheevu also) soil on 1 September 2025.

- By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Among those who accompanied the President on his maiden voyage to the northern offshore islet in the naval speedboat P 211 were Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala and Northern Navy Commander Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage.

Though called theevu or Island, Katchatheevu is actually an Islet in terms of size. Katchatheevu with a land area of 285 acres is 1.6 km long and 300 metres wide. It is an uninhabited place except for a Catholic shrine dedicated to St. Anthony and a small detachment of the Sri Lankan navy stationed there. Apart from an old brackish water well, there is no source of freshwater on the islet's sandy soil.

President Disanayake's short symbolic trip described as an "inspection visit" conveyed a twofold message in the current political context. Firstly it demonstrated clearly that the once-disputed islet is part of Sri Lanka. Secondly it subtly indicated that Sri Lanka was not prepared to part with what was part of its territory.

The unannounced trip was a surprise visit. There was no reference to it in the official itinerary of President AKD's two-day visit to the Northern Province. The first inkling of the trip to the islet came at the ceremonial event inaugurating the third phase of the expansion of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour.

President Disanayake speaking at the event, said: "The Government is committed to safeguarding the surrounding seas, islands, and landmass of the country for the benefit of the people and will not allow any external force to exert influence in this regard." He then said he intended visiting Katchatheevu soon and followed suit thereafter.