Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, has welcomed observations made by the Indian Supreme Court calling for Tamil Nadu fishermen to be educated on the need to avoid entering Sri Lankan waters illegally.

In a statement, the Minister said the court’s observations, made during hearings on petitions seeking the return of Katchatheevu Island to India, highlighted the importance of respecting the internationally recognised maritime boundary between the two countries.

According to the statement, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar stressed the need to provide clear instructions to Tamil Nadu fishermen to prevent them from crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters, particularly around Katchatheevu Island.

“We welcome the observations made by the Indian Supreme Court regarding the need to educate Tamil Nadu fishermen to refrain from illegally entering Sri Lankan waters for fishing,” Chandrasekar said.

The Minister said protecting Sri Lanka’s marine resources and environment remained a key government responsibility.

He expressed concern over illegal and destructive fishing practices by foreign vessels, particularly methods that damage the seabed and threaten the livelihoods of fishing communities in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

Chandrasekar also reiterated Sri Lanka’s position on the bilateral agreements signed with India in 1974 concerning Katchatheevu and in 1976 regarding maritime boundaries and fishing rights.

He said the agreements were based on longstanding diplomatic understandings between the two countries and stressed the importance of respecting maritime boundaries while protecting fishermen’s livelihoods.

The Minister further emphasised the need to pursue sustainable solutions through bilateral discussions and diplomatic mechanisms.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, Justice Sanjay Kumar also referred to his observations during a visit to Sri Lanka, praising the public’s commitment to maintaining clean beaches and public spaces and protecting the environment.

The Indian Supreme Court has not delivered a final ruling on the legal validity of the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka. Further hearings in the Katchatheevu case have been postponed until February 2027.

The Minister said the court’s observations were significant for protecting fishing communities, conserving marine resources and strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India.

A no-confidence motion against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, signed by 44 Opposition MPs, was formally handed over to Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadheera on Friday.

The 12-page motion contains around 50 allegations against the Speaker, including alleged misconduct, misuse of public funds and State property, financial irregularities, conflicts of interest, abuse of authority and violations of parliamentary procedures.

The Opposition has called on Wickramaratne to step down, accusing him of biased and undemocratic conduct in handling parliamentary proceedings, particularly matters relating to Opposition lawmakers.

The allegations also include claims that the Speaker granted privileges to his personal secretary outside established procedures and acted partially in dealing with matters connected to parliamentary sittings.

The motion further raises concerns over the use of official residences, parliamentary vehicles and fuel, expenditure on personal staff and alleged breaches of parliamentary Standing Orders.

It also accuses the Speaker of interfering with bribery investigations, among other alleged improprieties.Concluding that Parliament no longer has confidence in Wickramaratne, the motion calls into question his conduct and suitability to continue in office.

MONETABRIEF – More members of the once-powerful Rajapaksa family and their associates are expected to be hauled up under Sri Lanka’s renewed anti-corruption drive following the arrest of former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The wife of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was arrested over allegations that funds collected through her Siriliya Saviya charity for a scanner for Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children were misused. A Colombo magistrate later ordered her to be remanded in custody until October 13.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family is facing investigations into alleged corruption, money laundering and misuse of public funds. A separate investigation is also under way into the murder of former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested the 73-year-old former first lady after recording a statement from her at her Colombo residence.

Investigators said Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son in the family, was also under investigation for alleged money laundering. Namal Rajapaksa, a scion of the Rajapaksa family, is facing allegations linked to a $2.3 billion Airbus deal in 2013.

Mahinda Rajapaksa himself has also been accused of receiving kickbacks in connection with the same deal, but his accuser, former CEO of Sri Lankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena was found dead before he was due to go before court in May.

The Rajapaksa family and their associates have denied the allegations and accused the government of pursuing a political vendetta.

The anti-corruption drive, which has become a top priority for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is not limited to the Rajapaksa family, their friends or relatives.

Cases dating from 2015 to 2019 are now being taken up. Even former Board of Investment chief Thilan Wijesinghe faces possible arrest and prosecution, according to a list of 50 emblematic corruption, fraud and criminal cases tabled in Parliament on Thursday.

Apart from corruption cases, criminal investigations will also be pursued with renewed vigour, according to Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake, who is also the Leader of the House.

He said former Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne had attempted to disrupt the investigation into the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. The former police chief faces possible arrest.

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told Parliament on Thursday that the authorities were reviving cases that had stalled a decade ago. (Colombo/Oct. 9, 2026)