Indian Parliament briefed on fishermen issue with Sri Lanka

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday informed the Parliament that the Indian Government was taking up the issue of fishermen with the Sri Lankan Government through diplomatic channels, India TV reported.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Sushma said that the Sri Lankan Government had assured a probe into the killing of an Indian fisherman allegedly by the Lankan Navy.

However, she added that the Sri Lankan Navy has denied its involvement in the killing.

“We have taken up the issue of our fishermen with Sri Lankan Government to ensure that our fishermen are treated in a humane manner,” Sushma said.

“A fishing vessel from Tamil Nadu was fired upon allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, leading to the death of an Indian fisherman. The Government took up the matter…and expressed our strong concern over the incident,” she said.

“Our High Commissioner personally spoke to the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Navy commander on this matter. They maintained their patrol boats are not authorised to fire at Indian fishermen,” the Minister said.

Six fishermen from Thangachimadam in Ramanathapuram District were fishing near the Katchatheevu islet in the narrow sea dividing the two countries when they were fired at on the night of 6 March, Indian officials said. (Colombo Gazette)