Pubudu Jagoda Criticizes India’s Exploitation of Cobalt-Rich Seamount Amidst Sri Lankan Crisis

By Web Desk
TWA
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Pubudu Jagoda, a top spokesperson for Jana Aragala Sandhanaya, criticized India’s actions during an interview with Asoka Dias on Sirasa ‘Pathikada’ yesterday. Jagoda accused India of exploiting Sri Lanka’s ongoing political and economic turmoil to secure exploration rights for a cobalt-rich underwater mountain in the Indian Ocean, an area claimed by Sri Lanka under Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Jagoda, also a representative of the Peratugaami Pakshaya (Frontline Socialist Party), a breakaway faction of the JVP, highlighted the unprecedented nature of India’s move on the Afanasy Nikitin seamount. He emphasized that this seamount, which lies within Sri Lanka’s continental shelf as asserted in 2009, is now under threat from India’s exploration attempts. He called for immediate government and opposition action.

Jana Aragala Sandhanaya has vowed to vigorously address this issue in the upcoming presidential election campaign. Jagoda accused India of taking advantage of Sri Lanka’s weakened state while promoting its “Neighbourhood First Policy” and “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR). The Peratugaamis-led coalition plans to contest both presidential and parliamentary elections.

Jagoda urged the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to address the issue diplomatically at the highest level, criticizing the lack of response from political parties represented in Parliament. The Indian High Commission spokesperson stated there was no dispute and referred to a July 8, 2024, statement from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his appearance on ‘Pathikada’, Jagoda questioned the government’s delay in responding to India’s actions. He pointed out that India sought the International Seabed Authority’s (ISA) approval for exploring cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts at the Afanasy Nikitin seamount, undermining Sri Lanka’s efforts to secure recognition of its continental shelf’s outer limits. He accused India of using bullying tactics.

Jagoda recalled that in May 2009, during the final phase of operations on the Vanni east front, then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa staked Sri Lanka’s claim to the area. He accused India of exerting unfair pressure on Sri Lanka over Chinese research ship visits, leading to a government ban on such visits this year. He also expressed concerns over the Katchatheevu issue, Indian poaching, and the recent death of a Special Boat Squadron (SBS) member due to aggressive maneuvers by an intercepted trawler off Kankesanthurai.

He alleged that large-scale poaching could not occur without India’s tacit approval, noting India’s significant naval and coast guard assets. He condemned the use of destructive bottom trawling methods by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, despite their ban in Indian waters.

Jagoda highlighted that the Indian media’s coverage indicated an intention to proceed with the exploration, despite Sri Lanka’s objections. He pointed to India’s agreement with Taiwan to undertake the exploration amidst rising tensions with China.

Acknowledging that Sri Lanka’s 2009 UNCLOS submission and India’s recent appeal to the ISA are before the UN, Jagoda called for urgent diplomatic discussions between the Sri Lankan government and India. He criticized the silence of parliamentary political parties on this developing issue.