Raise Katchatheevu, Tamils’ issue during Sri Lankan President’s visit, CM tells PM

• Ahead of Sri Lankan President’s visit to India, Tamil Nadu CM has asked the Indian PM to raise the issue on the retrieval of Katchatheevu

Katchatheevu Island

• It is an uninhabited off-shore island in the Palk Strait originally owned by a king of Ramnad (present-day Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu).
• This island is used by fishermen to dry their nets.
• During British rule, it was administered jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
• India, in 1974, ceded the island to Sri Lanka, through a joint agreement in 1974
  • In the early 20th century, Sri Lanka claimed territorial ownership over the islet
• Two years later through another accord, India further gave up its fishing rights in the region too.
• Tamil nadu CM stance
  • Katchatheevu islet was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974 “without the State government’s consent”
  • This has deprived Tamil Nadu fishermen of their rights and adversely impacted their livelihoods.

Prelims Takeaway

• Katchatheevu Island
• Location Based Questions