The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 10 Indian fishermen near Delft Island off Jaffna Peninsula late on Monday on charges of trespassing. One trawler was seized, a Navy spokesman said.
This is the first instance of the Sri Lankan Navy arresting Indian fishermen since March 6, when Rameshwaram fisherman K. Britjo was shot dead in the Palk Bay between India and Sri Lanka. While Tamil Nadu fishermen accused the Sri Lankan Navy of opening fire at the 21-year-old fisherman, the Navy has denied the charges, even as Sri Lanka offered cooperation in investigation.
Lieutenant-Commander Chaminda Walakuluge said the Navy had concluded its investigation and submitted a report to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence.
Six fishermen were fishing in a trawler when it developed technical snag and strayed into Lankan waters, the reports said adding four other fishermen, who were fishing around, joined them to repair the boat when the Lankan navy arrested and impounded their vessel.
CM writes to PM
In the wake of the arrests of 10 fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has accused the Sri Lankan Navy of having little regard for diplomatic efforts. “A decisive shift in the manner in which the sensitive issue is dealt with is long-awaited and is the need of the hour,” the Chief Minister said in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
‘Fruitful’ talks
Meanwhile, the delegation of fishermen that held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi on Tuesday expressed satisfaction as she had promised action against those who shot Britjo and promised to secure release of over 130 boats impounded by Sri Lanka.
Court seeks explanation
In another development, the Madras High Court has directed the Ministry of External Affairs to submit a report by April 11, explaining whether the State police was entitled to investigate a murder case registered with respect to the death of Britjo.
