'Sri Lanka should consult Indian fishermen on new church in Katchatheevu'

Cheni, May 14: The government should prevail upon Sri Lanka to reconstruct a church in Katchatheevu island after consulting Indian fishermen, Tamil du Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said in a letter to Prime Minister rendra Modi on Saturday. In the letter to Modi, Jayalalithaa brought to his notice Sri Lanka’s plans to demolish the ancient St. Anthony’s Church in Katchatheevu and build a new one. “This reported move of the Sri Lankan government has greatly exercised the Indian fishermen in the southern districts of Tamil du who have regularly visited and worshipped at this Church for several centuries,” Jayalalithaa said in the letter.

“The fishermen who mostly belong to the Roman Catholic faith are extremely concerned that they have not been consulted regarding the proposed reconstruction,” she added.

According to Jayalalithaa, in order to effectively allay the apprehensions of the Indian fishermen, the government of India ought to urgently respond to this “provocation”.

She said the Indian government should prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to first consult the fishermen from Tamil du on this issue and take further steps in this regard only in consultation with all the key stakeholders. (IANS)