The recent visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Katchatheevu island has reignited political and public debate on the long-disputed territory between India and Sri Lanka. What has made this development more significant is the voice of Tamil cinema icon and political aspirant Vijay, who recently called for India to reclaim Katchatheevu to ensure the safety and livelihood of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
For decades, Katchatheevu has remained a flashpoint issue, with Tamil fishermen frequently facing arrests, harassment, and restrictions when they enter waters around the island. Successive governments have faced criticism for their handling of the matter, but Vijay’s intervention has struck a chord with the younger generation and coastal communities, bringing fresh urgency to the demand.
Vijay’s statement has not only added weight to the fishermen’s grievances but also placed him at the centre of Tamil Nadu’s political discourse. By raising this issue, he has positioned himself as a leader willing to take up matters of regional pride and people’s welfare, a move that observers believe could shape his emerging political journey ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
While President Dissanayake’s visit underscores Sri Lanka’s assertion over the island, Vijay’s bold call reflects the growing sentiment in Tamil Nadu that Katchatheevu is more than a territorial dispute it is about dignity, livelihood, and the rights of Tamil fishermen.
With his voice now resonating alongside long-standing political demands, Vijay has turned Katchatheevu into not just a diplomatic issue, but also a defining battleground in Tamil Nadu’s politics.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to Katchatheevu may reinforce Colombo’s claim, but in Tamil Nadu, it is Vijay’s bold stand that has reignited the debate, placing fishermen’s safety and dignity at the centre of the political spotlight.