Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for South India in Chennai Ganesanathan Geathiswaran meeting with Puducherry fishermen. Photo: X/@sscharles
Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner to South India in Chennai, Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, on Sunday (April 5, 2026) denied claims that he attended a meeting with fishermen organized by any political party.
Declaring that it was a “routine visit” and that the event was not organized by any political party, Mr Geathiswaran said: “I’m not here to do politics.”
In a post on social media, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Pawan Khera referred to the meeting, which reportedly took place in the last week of March, and alleged that it was a gross violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which states that foreign diplomats “have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of this state”.
Sri Lanka’s Deputy Consul General for South India, Mr. Ganesanathan Ketheeswaran, was invited by Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) Chief Jose Charles Martin to meet fishermen in Vaithikuppam area of Puducherry and listen to their grievances.
Puducherry BJP President and… https://t.co/DX68amOxVo
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) April 4, 2026
He also pointed out that India and Sri Lanka were signatories to the convention. Mr. Khera further sought to know whether the Election Commission of India (ECI) would issue a notice to the respective political party and the BJP for hosting a diplomat at a political event.
Speaking to The Hindu over phone from Kanniyakumari, Mr Ganesanathan Geathiswaran said, “Since I came here (at his official post in South India), I have been discussing with fishermen. Six months ago, many fishermen’s associations met me at my office in Chennai. This is my fourth meeting with them.” Recalling his meetings with fishermen in various parts of Tamil Nadu, he mentioned that he had met fishermen in Puducherry, Nagapattinam and Kanniyakumari.
Referring to his speech, Mr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran said that he had mentioned twice that he had not come to represent any political party but had only come to meet the fishermen.
Asked about a social media post that included his meeting with fishermen and criticism of the meeting, Mr Geathiswaran said: “I am not here to do politics. I have nothing to do with politics.”
Responding to criticism that his actions were argued to be against the Vienna Convention, Mr Geathiswaran clarified: “I did not participate in any political campaign. It was in an open area along the sea coast. The meeting was not on a stage and in a public space.”
Earlier, Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) president Jose Charles Martin shared photos of Mr. Geathiswaran interacting at the rally on social media. Mr. Martin further said that he invited Mr. Geathiswaran on the basis of their friendship to meet and talk to the fishermen of Vaithikuppam in Puducherry regarding their grievances.
Mr. Martin further said that various issues faced by fishermen in Puducherry and Karaikal were raised. He quoted Mr. Geathiswaran as saying that he would try to resolve these issues thanks to Mr. Martin’s efforts.
Published – 5 Apr 2026 12:11 PM IST
