Key Points
Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has categorically stated that India's assertions regarding reclaiming Kachchatheevu Island hold "no ground"...
This statement was made in the backdrop of recent accusations by the Narendra Modi-led government towards the Congress Party and its ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, for allegedly compromising national interests by giving control of the island to Sri Lanka in 1974...
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also criticised these parties for not safeguarding the Indian fishermen wanting to fish in the waters surrounding Kachchatheevu Island...
"I think India is acting on its interests to secure this place to ensure Sri Lankan fishermen would not have any access to that area and that Sri Lanka should not claim any rights in that resourceful area", Devananda said...
The ongoing contention over fishing rights has recently led to widespread protests by Sri Lankan fishermen against illegal fishing by Indians, which they argue, damages and affects their livelihood through bottom trawling...
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