India takes up fishermen deaths with Sri Lanka

Foreign Secretary of India Nirupama Rao on Monday asked Sri Lankan authorities to ?fully? investigate the incidents of Indian fishermen being allegedly killed by its Navy.

Rao visited Sri Lanka on 30-31 January. During her visit, she called on Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris, on Monday. She also met Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and External Affairs Secretary C.R. Jayasinghe.

During the discussions, Rao expressed the deep concern of the Government of India at the recent violent incidents in the waters between India and Sri Lanka, which had resulted in the ?tragic? death of two Indian fishermen.

She stressed that these incidents should be fully investigated and all steps taken to prevent their recurrence in future.

The Sri Lanka authorities emphasized in this regard that it is the consistent policy of Sri Lanka to treat in a humanitarian manner all fishermen, including those from the Indian fishing community, who cross into Sri Lanka waters.

Given the very close bilateral relationship between the two countries, any development which impacts on the wellbeing of the Indian fishing community pursuing their livelihoods in the waters between the two countries, is of the utmost concern to Sri Lanka, said a joint statement.

The Government of Sri Lanka is therefore committed to ascertaining the facts behind the incidents, said the neighbouring nation.

While continuing with further inquiries, the Sri Lankan authorities have requested that additional information be made available by the Indian side.

Both sides agreed that the use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances.

The two sides noted that the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of 26th October 2008, which had put in place practical arrangements to deal with bona fide fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), had led to a decrease in incidents.

They agreed on the need to discuss arrangements based on the current situation so as to strengthen the safety and security of the fishermen.

Accordingly, it was decided that the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fishing would be convened at an early date, which would, inter-alia, address various issues relating to fishing by the two sides.

The Joint Working Group would also address the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries.

It was decided as well to enhance and promote contacts between the fishermen?s associations on both sides, since such contacts have proved to be mutually beneficial.

Two Tamil Nadu fishermen were allegedly killed by navy of the neighbouring country within ten days, the latest instance being on Jan 22 night.

A fisherman, Jayakumar, from Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu) was allegedly killed by Sri Lankan Navy on Jan 22 night.

He had gone fishing with two other fishermen.

Earlier this month, another fisherman, Veerapandian from the same area, was allegedly shot dead by the naval force of the island nation.