Katchatheevu won't be returned: Vijayakala

22 February 2016 11:36 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Asserting its sovereignty over Katchatheevu, Deputy Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran on Sunday has said it was not possible for Sri Lanka to return the islet to India.

"Katchatheevu is part of Sri Lanka according to an agreement and hence it was not possible to give it back to India," Minister Maheswaran told reporters at Katchatheevu, Indian Express news reported yesterday.

As per the 1974 and 1976 agreements, India had ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.

On the fishing rights of Indian fishermen in Katchatheevu, she said both the nations must work together to resolve the issue.

On releasing the seized boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen, who strayed into their waters, she said they belonged to Sri Lanka and law prohibited to release them.

Vijayakala was at Katchatheevu to participate in the two-day annual St Antony's festival, which began yesterday. She said about 4,500 persons from Sri Lanka and 3,000 pilgrims from India participated in the event.

Comments - 12

Lol Monday, 22 February 2016 11:58 AM

At least now she is Sri Lankan

2 4

navin Monday, 22 February 2016 12:27 PM

Weldone. Now this is what i call unity

2 2

Bingo Monday, 22 February 2016 01:33 PM

Sri Lankan Jaffna tamils hate Indians ( including indian tamils) than sinhaleese.

2 1

M.M.M.Zarook Monday, 22 February 2016 04:42 PM

Let us not provoke the indians by talks such as this.If this becomes an issue to be reckoned with, then let us allow our Govt.to deal with it effectively at the highest level.

0 2

Ahamed Monday, 22 February 2016 05:29 PM

im wondering how on earth indians can visit the Katchatheevu event without any visa or passport ? why cant sri lanka put an immigration counter in Katchatheevu and issue a special visa for the Katchatheevu event via the immigration website ? there should be a systematic way in anything. we should respect the sovereignty of sri lanka

0 2

Sapu Monday, 22 February 2016 05:35 PM

She was born as Lankan, Lives as Lankan and will die Lankan

1 4

lal Monday, 22 February 2016 05:52 PM

She was always sri lankan

2 4

BBS Monday, 22 February 2016 08:04 PM

Wonder whether Ahamed could make a comment like this if our kings had any immigration laws?

1 1

gayan Monday, 22 February 2016 08:36 PM

She has to say something after her refusal to raise the national flag incident was made public.

1 1

Aba Jayasekera Monday, 22 February 2016 09:12 PM

To say that they hate Tamils of Indian origin is not correct. However, the educated an well-to-do Jaffna Tamils never help. They and their politicians are only interested in them to show a largere number of Tamils in our country.

0 3

Kithsiri Tuesday, 23 February 2016 05:54 AM

She never refused to raise the national flag. The story was debunked as fake

0 2

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 23 February 2016 10:19 AM

Please read the Katchtheevu agreement before commenting.

1 2

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