Bay of Bengal Binds India and Sri Lanka Through Shared Ecological Destiny: Justice Surya Kant

Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant shared his views on the India-Sri Lanka relationship. Speaking on the topic "India-Sri Lanka Policy Dialogue: Advancing Environmental Sustainability and Regional Cooperation" at the Law Faculty of the University of Colombo, the Justice said that the Bay of Bengal "does not divide us, but rather binds the two countries through a shared ecological destiny."

At the Law Faculty event, Justice Surya Kant said that environmental cooperation between India and Sri Lanka is not a matter of charity or diplomacy, but a question of survival. He stated that the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar are hotspots of biodiversity, home to coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and numerous endangered species. But the ecological balance of these areas is in serious danger due to overfishing, destructive trawling practices, and uncontrolled coastal construction.

Justice Surya Kant said that the judiciaries of India and Sri Lanka now need to adopt a "regional environmental constitutional model," as many environmental rights and obligations transcend borders. Justice Surya Kant said that both countries must shoulder shared geographical responsibility as the pace of environmental damage is accelerating. Issues such as oil spills, coral reef bleaching, and the impact on the livelihoods of fishing communities have now become shared crises for both countries.

He warned that climate change and sea level rise are affecting the agriculture and fisheries industries in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka. Saltwater intrusion and erratic monsoons have further worsened the situation. He also stressed the need for joint monitoring and data sharing to address problems that are fragmented and unaddressed.

He pointed out that from the 2004 tsunami to recurring cyclones, both countries have experienced how environmental disasters transcend political boundaries. "These are events that do not recognize national boundaries and promote cooperation in disaster management, yet ecological restoration remains fragmented," Justice Kant said.