India Plans to Use Provincial System to Secure Control in Sri Lanka, Alleges Ex-Navy Spokesman

COLOMBO (News 1st); Retired Rear Admiral and former Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake has alleged that India is pursuing a broader strategy that could utilise Sri Lanka’s provincial council system to expand its influence over the Northern and Eastern regions of the country.

Dassanayake claimed that developments surrounding Katchatheevu Island and fisheries disputes are part of a wider geopolitical agenda. He stated that political dynamics in Tamil Nadu, driven by a large fishing community and influential financier groups, play a significant role in shaping positions on issues related to Sri Lanka.

Referring to Indian actor Joseph Vijay who recently became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dassanayake said his engagement with the Katchatheevu issue was aimed at consolidating political support among these groups. He added that the objective goes beyond the island itself, alleging that the broader aim is to gain access to Sri Lanka’s fisheries resources.

He further noted that Indian fishermen are already engaged in discussions with the Sri Lankan government to obtain licences to harvest fish resources. Drawing on his own experience, Dassanayake stated that such attempts have been ongoing for nearly 60 years, including proposals to allow Indian fishermen extensive access to Sri Lankan waters in exchange for access for Sri Lankan fishermen to the Nagapattinam coastal area.

However, Dassanayake claimed that these developments must be viewed within a larger strategic framework. He alleged that the Indian central government operates under a broader vision of “Akhand Bharat,” which includes plans to connect Sri Lanka through land links, electricity transmission cables, and oil pipelines, effectively integrating the country as a province.

He also warned that political developments within Sri Lanka could facilitate such objectives.

According to him, if elections were to be held in the Northern and Eastern provinces and governors aligned with external interests were appointed, citing proposed names such as Shanakyan for the East and Sumanthiran for the North, there could be moves to secure land and police powers within those provinces.

Dassanayake asserted that in such a scenario, if governors do not intervene, even the President would be unable to prevent these developments. He further pointed to ongoing discussions on constitutional amendments, suggesting that such changes could serve as another mechanism to advance these objectives.