Katchatheevu: Sri Lankan Territory Closer To India

There was a time when the Indian Navy sent its ships to patrol the waters from Rameswaram in India to Katchatheevu and Delft island in Sri Lanka: this was the time of the civil war against the Tamil Tigers and as part of its effort to help Colombo, Indian naval vessels were operationally deployed.

Today, the Palk Bay is far more tranquil and with the Tamil Tigers eliminated (2009), the Indian Navy’s focus has probably shifted elsewhere. In any case, the Indian Coast Guard now does the job of security patrolling and also ensuring Indian waters remain free of poachers.

But their patrols will not include Katchatheevu, which is Sri Lankan territory and has been since 1974 when Indira Gandhi’s government handed it over. There was some disquiet when the decision was taken as there was evidence to show the island was part of the zamindari of the Raja of Ramnad or Ramanathpuram district, as it is presently known.

In fact, when one looks at the map of the Palk Bay, one is struck by how close Katchatheevu is: from Rameshwaram it is about 16 km and on a good day, visible from the Indian shoreline. Whereas it is 40 km from the nearest Sri Lankan island, which is Mannar.

The decision to hand over the island may have had much to do with ensuring good relations with then Sri Lankan prime minister Sirimavo Bandarnaike.