Pay no heed to Kachchateevu “invasion” threats, says Navy
August 14, 2011 07:39 pm
Indian media reported that Indian fishermen in the Rameshwaram area have been banned from engaging in fishing activities tomorrow (August 15) to avoid any acts of sabotage being carried out in view of the country’s Independence Day celebrated tomorrow.
Several Indian groups and political parties had threatened to invade the Kachchateevu island, ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974, and hoist the Indian national flag in it on India’s Independence Day.
Certain Indian media today claimed that security in and around the island has been tightened by Sri Lanka’s defence forces in order to avoid any illegal infiltration.
However, when Ada Derana inquired Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya regarding the matter he stated that extremist political leaders, the likes of Seeman and Vaiko, on several previous occasions had made such threats to hoist the Indian flag in the islet.
“Therefore no attention should be paid towards such statements.”
“Extremist political leaders of Tamil Nadu make various statements to gain political mileage.” he pointed out.
The Navy spokesman further added that security hitherto provided to the island will continuesly be provided and that tomorrow will be no exception.