Indo-Lanka fisheries ministers to discuss bilateral issues today

By Shanika Sriyananda

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera will meet his counterpart Agriculture and Fisheries Minister of India, Radha Mohan Singh, in Colombo today to discuss fishing issues between the two countries.

Minister Amaraweera said that ministerial discussions would be held to further discuss the decisions taken by the Ministry Secretaries last Saturday.

“Ministry secretaries from both countries met last Saturday in New Delhi to discuss longstanding fishing issues, especially Tamil Nadu fishermen violating Sri Lanka’s International Maritime Boundary (IMBL),” he told the Daily FT.

He said that Sri Lanka needed an urgent solution to prevent Tamil Nadu fishermen who were trespassing the IMBL as the country loses nearly Rs. 9 billion annually due to poaching.

When asked about the proposed fine system for vessels which were crossing the IMBL illegally, he said the fine would be imposed considering the length of the vessels.

“We follow the EU regulations for maritime offences and the minimum fine will be close to Rs. 9 million,” he said.

According to Minister Amaraweera, the proposed amendments to the Fisheries’ and Aquatic Resources Act 2 of 1996, to impose fines for illegal vessels, have been sent to the Attorney General’s Department.

However, he said that the new system of fines would not be a move against India but would be applied to any vessel from any country which violated the country’s maritime law.