Ranil reiterates SL’s right to protect its territorial waters

16 March 2015 06:48 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has reiterated Sri Lanka’s right to shoot Indian fishermen who violate the maritime border and poach in Lankan waters. In an interview with the NDTV, the PM had said that even though Sri Lanka and India are working to resolve the fishermen's issue, the country's navy has the right to shoot anyone who intrudes into SL’s territorial waters.

The reiteration of the controversial comment comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the island nation which he said was a "successful visit".

Speaking to NDTV, Mr Wickremasinghe said, "The Lankan navy has the right to shoot in any part of the country if anyone enters territorial waters, this is nothing new".

The main issue, he said, was bottom trawling by fishing boats and it has to stop. "That has been acknowledged by all sides."

Earlier this month, ahead of PM Modi's visit, Mr Wickremasinghe told a Tamil news channel, "If someone tries to break into my house, I can shoot. If he gets killed... Law allows me to do that... Why are you coming into our waters? Stay on the Indian side."

The comment had caused huge controversy and days later, on March 12, the Lankan Navy had allegedly hurled petrol bombs at Indian fishing boats. No one had been injured. In February, 86 Indian fishermen were arrested and 10 fishing boats were seized by the Lankan Navy.

Mr Wickremasinghe said the two countries were working on a solution to the issue. "The foreign minister (Sushma Swaraj) when she was here, told me that they are trying to get them (the fishermen) moved out," he said. Ms Swaraj had visited Lanka ahead of PM Modi's visit.

PM Modi, Mr Wickremasinghe said, had "reached out" to Sri Lanka and the Lankans had responded.

"It makes a case that there should be regular visits by Indian PM to Lanka, but he covered every part and showed that India stood for all Sri Lankans. While we have to settle the outstanding problems in the North, India was not thinking only of the north but all Sri Lanka," he added.

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Comments - 20

MADUKRM22 Monday, 16 March 2015 01:38 PM

Now you are talking Mr Wickramasinghe. !! Well said. Yes, they have to keep off our waters.

dafunkdi Tuesday, 17 March 2015 07:47 PM

This is our country & so is thw water around it. We will not tolerate any invasion by south indians since this is a soverign nation & not a state of tamil nadu via DM Android App

sanjo Monday, 16 March 2015 07:55 PM

To shoot we need chinese guns, But you send china home last week remember?

Tissa Monday, 16 March 2015 05:05 PM

India, just stop sending fisherman ! You have no right to send your fisherman just because you are the big brother.

Tissa Monday, 16 March 2015 05:03 PM

What Ranil has said is 100% right. it is applicable to any national who intrudes.. not just Indian. What is wrong in that statement?

Citizen Monday, 16 March 2015 04:27 PM

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

dilip Monday, 16 March 2015 03:20 PM

Lanka, I love your comment, and also it is very true.

BH Monday, 16 March 2015 02:29 PM

I reiterate, There is a simple solution to this, just put Naval Indian/SriLankan observers on the SriLankan/Indian patrol vessels they can the confirm if the fishermen have crossed boarders or if nets are illegal. It baffles me why SriLankan fishermen want to fish Indian waters if as they say they are fished out!

Raza Monday, 16 March 2015 02:29 PM

Ranil again and again proves that he is an imbalanced leader. He is talking of a National Government because he cannot control his men Like Sajith coming to Power. Here he is warning all fishermen and gives Indian Navy legality to shoot Sri Lankan Fishermen. He is trying to cover up the Bond controversy. Although it appears to be a family affair there is a general feeling that UNP politicians have orchestrated it.

Batalanda Monday, 16 March 2015 01:47 PM

When Ranil wins next election this will be his policy towards everyone. You break the law you will be shot.

moodayoo Monday, 16 March 2015 12:28 PM

One more joke :)

brainmaster Monday, 16 March 2015 01:31 PM

Ranil ! Quo vadis ?

lanka Monday, 16 March 2015 01:17 PM

The only Indian to be trusted is a dead one or one in a framed picture.What Endia could not achieve by thrusting murderous LTTE terrorists for 20/30 years they will soon achieve through SL silly maithri palanaya

Jaya Monday, 16 March 2015 12:52 PM

The northern fishing issue is something the South Indians are abusing because SL does not exercise its Sovereign Rights! It is high time we put our foot down and followed the law. The Indian Govt. should also follow the law as a regional superpower.

Jaya Monday, 16 March 2015 12:49 PM

At last we have a leader with a spine!

Somebody WillCome Monday, 16 March 2015 12:46 PM

Soon the dramma will be over Mr. Ranil

dm editor modaa Monday, 16 March 2015 12:44 PM

So shoot them. Kill all our Navey by Indian navey

de silva Monday, 16 March 2015 12:41 PM

He is a educated politician.So he must know what he is talking about.We have no argument.

No Support Monday, 16 March 2015 12:40 PM

In Next election UNP will be washed off. So far no any action taken on criminals and culprits as promised before the election. JVP did a great job. so we will support them

Premalal Monday, 16 March 2015 12:35 PM

You will have to shoot yourself after the parliamentary election. Your performance in this short time had been a disaster. By the time you wake up It would be too late .

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Ranil reiterates SL’s right to protect its territorial waters

Comments - 20

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