Tuesday, 28 January 2014 00:19
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Resolutions and agreements to be forwarded to both governments for ratification and implementation
An agreement has been reached between fishermen of India and Sri Lanka, but is subject to the approval of both the governments, Indian media reported, after crucial talks between the two sides in Chennai yesterday.
Quoting a fishermen representative from Ramanathapuram, U. Arulanandam and Sri Lankan representative T. Sadasivam, The Hindu newspaper said some consensus had been reached and resolutions had been adopted at the meeting which would now be forwarded to the two governments.
Asked whether both sides were ready to allow fishermen to cross their border for fishing, Sadasivam said such a decision could be taken only by the governments.
The talks between representatives of fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka was held in Chennai yesterday to resolve the issue of fishing rights as a result of Indian fishing trawlers and traditional fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters.
The conflict has resulted in an escalation of tensions with the Sri Lanka Navy taking a hard line against encroachers and arresting Indian fishermen and apprehending the trawlers.
The meeting, presided over by Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister K.A. Jayapal, was attended by Suchitra Durai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, and Nimal Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Sri Lanka.
The Hindu newspaper said 24 fishermen from the Indian side and 18 fishermen from Sri Lanka had participated in yesterday’s talks. Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner at Chennai Sabarullah Khan had also been present at the discussions.
