Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_Vijay, a Tamil actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party leader, has sparked controversy with his desire to reclaim Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka. Speaking at a party meeting in Madurai, Vijay asked the Indian government to retake the island, citing the Sri Lankan Navy’s continued harassment and detention of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Vijay claimed that close to 800 fishermen from Tamil Nadu have faced attacks or detentions in recent years. “To safeguard our fishermen, retrieve Katchatheevu and hand it back to us,” he said. As an interim measure, he proposed a 99-year lease of the island but reiterated that full retrieval is the only long-term solution to the issue.
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While his remarks drew applause from supporters in Tamil Nadu, they quickly sparked backlash in Sri Lanka, both politically and among his fan base there. In Jaffna, where Vijay enjoys a massive following, fan clubs reportedly removed posters of the actor, signaling disappointment. His films, which typically open to packed theaters across Sri Lanka, may now face release hurdles, according to sources in the local film distribution circuit. The political fallout escalated when Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made an unplanned visit to Katchatheevu shortly after Vijay’s speech. The president, who was in Jaffna to launch several welfare programs and inspect development at the Mayilidi Fishing Port, traveled to the island aboard a Navy vessel. There, he walked through the island, visited a Navy base, and held discussions with military personnel.
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Speaking to the media after his visit, Dissanayake underlined that Katchatheevu remains an inseparable part of Sri Lanka. “This land, these seas, and our airspace must be preserved for future generations. Katchatheevu is a vital fishing area for our people. We will protect it from any foreign claims,” he said. The President’s remarks follow strong words from Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who also weighed in on Vijay’s comments. Labeling the actor’s statements as “election-season rhetoric,” Herath dismissed the idea that the island’s ownership is up for debate. “Statements like these are made for political mileage during election time. What matters is the official diplomatic dialogue between governments, not remarks made at campaign events,” he said during a cabinet briefing in Colombo.
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Vijay had directly criticized the Indian central government during his address, accusing it of neglecting Tamil Nadu fishermen. He pointed out that, in contrast, fishermen from states like Gujarat receive better protection. “Our fishermen are being arrested, their boats seized, and their livelihoods threatened. I’m not asking for grand gestures, just take one small step. Retrieve Katchatheevu for the safety of our people,” he said. The island in question, Katchatheevu, spans just under 2 square kilometers and lies roughly 12 nautical miles from Rameswaram. Though it was ceded to Sri Lanka by India in the 1970s, the island has remained a point of contention, particularly during times of increased pressure on marine resources.
According to fishing experts, the scarcity of fish along India’s coastline has prompted many Tamil Nadu fishermen to cross maritime boundaries, frequently venturing 20 or more nautical miles into Sri Lankan waters. This makes them vulnerable to arrests and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy. While recovering Katchatheevu may not fully fix these difficulties, experts believe it may expand the legal fishing zone, bringing some relief to Indian fishermen. The Indian government has not responded officially to Vijay’s statements or Sri Lanka’s replies. However, as political and community tensions rise on both sides of the Palk Strait, the Katchatheevu problem appears to have regained political traction, which may be exacerbated as the Tamil Nadu election season approaches.
