Urging safety for Tamil Nadu fishermen, India on Tuesday sent its High Commissioner to meet Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo. The diplomatic step came after the killing of a Tamil Nadu fisherman, allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy on Monday.
“The Government of India is deeply concerned at the killing of an Indian fisherman. Our High Commissioner to Sri Lanka has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full and thorough investigation,” a government source told the media.
In the high seas
The government-level response came after the death of a 21-year old fisherman who was allegedly fired at by the Sri Lankan Navy near Rameswaram on Monday. Several other fishermen were left injured. Local people said the boat was in the high seas at the time of the incident.
Sri Lankan authorities denied that they shot the Indian national but maintained that they were authorised to counter poaching activities. Sri Lanka Navy captain Samindha Valaguluge said, “Our boats are not authorised to open fire. But we have been instructed to arrest fishermen and seize their boats if they cross the border,” he was quoted by a news channel.
The incident has, however, spotlighted the expected visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Colombo in May to participate in Buddhist ceremonies.
This is the first incident of killing of an Indian fisherman after the January 2 agreement when both sides agreed to discuss the issue of releasing fishing vessels in each other’s custody.
Pact for peace
The agreement, which was reached following the first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting of December 31, 2016, had also decided to prevent “physical harm” to the fishermen and opening of a “hotline” for quick discussion and response to crises. Sri Lanka had demanded that Indian fishermen stop bottom trawling fishing technique, which it considers unsustainable.
The next JWG meeting will be held in Colombo in April for a comprehensive review of the fishermen’s issue.
