Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has brushed aside actor-politician Vijay’s demand that India retrieve Katchatheevu, describing it as mere election-time rhetoric.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet briefing in Colombo, Herath was asked about remarks made by Vijay, president of the Thamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, at a rally in Madurai on August 21.
Vijay had targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the long-standing Katchatheevu issue, accusing the Centre of failing to protect Tamil Nadu fishermen.
“Nearly 800 fishermen have suffered due to attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy. I am not asking you to do anything big to condemn this. Please do something very small. Retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka at least now for our fishermen’s safety. That would be enough,” Vijay had said.
Herath, however, dismissed the demand, stressing that Colombo would not be swayed by such remarks. “Such statements are being made for their political benefits as it is election season in South India. There is no need to bother about such political statements. What matters is only diplomatic-level communication,” he said, reiterating that Katchatheevu belongs to Sri Lanka.
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