Sri Lankan President visits Katchatheevu after Tamil leader's call for retrieval

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a sudden visit to the coveted Katchatheevu island, days after actor-politician Vijay raised the issue of retrieving the territory.

President Dissanayake was in Jaffna to inaugurate several welfare schemes and oversee the expansion of the Mayilidi Fishing Port. During the trip, he, along with senior defence officials, travelled by Navy speedboat to Katchatheevu, where he walked through the island up to the Navy base and held discussions with officers stationed there.

Later, President Dissanayake stressed that Katchatheevu was an integral part of Sri Lanka. “We should protect the Sea from foreign encroachers. Katchatheevu is a very important place for our fishermen. A discussion has arisen over Katchatheevu. It is my responsibility to protect our land, islands, sea area and the sky for future generations,” he said.

The visit comes shortly after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay publicly sought the retrieval of Katchatheevu by India, drawing strong responses from Colombo. Only days earlier, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath had also reacted to Vijay’s remarks, reiterating that the island belongs to Sri Lanka.

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