Chennai, Apr 2 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolutionurging the Centre to retrieve Katchatheevu, an islet ceded to Sri Lanka through a1974 agreement, and protect the traditional rights of fishermen, besides securingthose arrested by Sri Lankan Navy.The resolution was moved by Chief Minister M K Stalin and Floor Leaders of variouspolitical parties spoke on the issue after which it was adopted.
It said retrieval of the Islet is the only permanent solution to
protect the traditional fishing rights of fishermen.
Referring to the proposed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka onApril four and five, the resolution urged him to hold talks with the Island governmentto secure the release of the imprisoned fishermen, along with their boats , on a goodwillbasis.While urging the Centre to mitigate the sufferings of the fishermen, it also soughtimmediate review of the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement and take all steps to retrievethe Katchatheevu island.It said "Retrieval of Katchatheevu Island is the onlypermanent solution to protect the traditional fishing rights ofTamil Nadu fishermen and to mitigate the sufferings faced bythem due to the Sri Lankan Navy"."Considering the above, this august House unanimouslyurges the Union Government to immediately review theIndo-Sri Lankan agreement and take all steps to retrieveKatchatheevu Island; and urges the Honourable Prime Ministerof India, to hold talks with the Sri Lankan Government to getall our imprisoned fishermen released along with their boatson a goodwill basis, during his official visit to Sri Lanka", it said.UNI GV 1325