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Last Updated : 2024-03-28 15:11:00
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday termed the release of five fishermen on death row in Sri Lanka as 'heart-warming', adding that the action will help improve the ties between the two countries.
"The reports of the Tamil fishermen being released are extremely heart-warming. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa some time ago. The government authorities and the Ministry of External Affairs have also offered to give all kinds of possible help to the fishermen," BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao told ANI.
"The credit for their release should go to the Central government. We have excellent relations with all our neighbours and I think this will further cement the ties between India and Sri Lanka and will lead to the easing of a lot issues that have affected the relations between the two countries," he added.
Meanwhile, former Congress strongman in Tamil Nadu GK Vasan expressed his sympathy over the plight of the fishermen.
"On one hand we are happy that the fishermen have been released, on the other hand it is very unfortunate that a false case was registered against them and they were arrested. They were innocent fishermen but had to be in a Sri Lankan jail for over three years and they have suffered there," Vasan told ANI.
"This kind of inhuman act by that nation's government is condemnable and I am sure that it won't be repeated," he added.
The Colombo High Court had on October 30th sentenced the five fishermen from Tamil Nadu - P Emerson, P Augustus, R Wilson, K Prasath, and J Lanklet - to death on charges of smuggling 995 grams of heroin. They were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for heroin trafficking in 2011.
The appeal filed against the Colombo High Court judgment was dismissed by a two-judge Appellate Court Bench comprising of Justices Vijith K. Malalgoda and A.H.M.D. Nawaz, after the counsel appearing for the five fishermen said they have decided to withdraw it. (ANI)
Tejaswi B D Thursday, 20 November 2014 09:56 AM
I thank every Srilankans for this heart warming gesture. Hope we continue to make good ties with you in the coming days..
usoof Thursday, 20 November 2014 10:21 AM
As a special gesture please release some of our innocent fishermen who in your custody
mack Thursday, 20 November 2014 10:36 AM
I mean if there was real evidence on drug trafficking how can SL government release them via DM Android App
mack Thursday, 20 November 2014 10:39 AM
and accused 5 not being jailed back in India via DM Android App
clueless Thursday, 20 November 2014 11:22 AM
Surely death sentance for smuggling 200 grams of drugs is extreme.
Bharathalana Thursday, 20 November 2014 11:58 AM
Very transparent politrckal jimick
Nims Thursday, 20 November 2014 12:25 PM
We welcome and our doors are always opened to non racists people like you.
gihan Thursday, 20 November 2014 01:37 PM
See this why we need executive presidency
hiro Thursday, 20 November 2014 03:07 PM
i believe what you meant to say was why we do not need executive presidency...
Andrew Thursday, 20 November 2014 03:25 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is of the best indian politicians they have got and is very diligent and humble. All credit should go to him for solving this issue amicably. We Sri Lankan in the other hand wish to thank the GOSL for gesture they have done
Suq Madique Thursday, 20 November 2014 04:02 PM
But the politicians in Tamil Nadu are still not happy. What more do they want?
Waco Thursday, 20 November 2014 11:10 PM
What about Sri Lankan Fishermen who are in prisons in India?No one to get them released?
prisoner Thursday, 20 November 2014 11:10 PM
What about the local guys who were convicted for the same offence? I s there a presidential pardon for them as well? I think everyone is equal before law, or am i wrong?
G. Perera Sunday, 23 November 2014 12:31 AM
prisoner youre absolutely right... its not fair that these indians are pardoned while our people are punished.. same punishment should go for all.. via DM Android App
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