SLN releases 13 Indian fishermen

13 January 2012 03:13 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka has released two Indian fishing trawlers and 13 fishermen on Friday, even as a delegation of top officials for the region arrived here for talks on the fisheries issue.

The fishermen were apprehended off Trincomalee on January 11, the Navy said. “The trawlers were initially sighted at a location 14.2 nautical miles north-east of Pulmudai around 3.00pm on January 10. Due to intrusive behaviour, they were kept under surveillance by patrolling SLN vessels attached to the Eastern Naval Command. Having consistently observed the trawlers’ unwarranted movement towards land, they were taken into custody with 13 crew members on-board at a location 6.5 nautical miles east of Pulmudai on the morning of January 11, for wilfully trespassing on Sri Lankan waters,” the Navy said.

Working at an informal level, the Indian side and Sri Lankan side decided to release the fishermen, the Indian High Commission and the Sri Lankan Navy confirmed. The Indian fishing trawlers, now in Trincomalee Harbour, and the fishermen, under the care of the Indian High Commission, will leave as soon as local level coordination is completed.

Meanwhile, the much-postponed talks between the Indian and Sri Lankan sides on the Joint Working Group on Fisheries, will be held here on Saturday. Bilateral talks were last held in March 2011 in New Delhi.

Reviewing the progress on the bilateral talks, the Indian and Sri Lankan Foreign Ministers had “agreed that the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances and that all fishermen should be treated in a humane manner.” The two Foreign Ministers, in a joint statement after their last formal meeting “noted that the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of October 26, 2008 had led to a decrease in violent incidents [of firing against Indian fishermen]. Furthermore, the two sides emphasised the importance of an early conclusion of the draft Memorandum of Understanding on Development and Cooperation in the field of Fisheries between India and Sri Lanka.”

In the past few weeks, there has been a marked improvement in relations between the two countries on this contentious issue. The Sri Lankan side has showed considerable flexibility and understanding in releasing fishermen who have strayed across the International Maritime Boundary Line, while the Indian External Affairs Ministry has told the Madras High Court that there were no instances of attack of Indian fishermen in Indian waters.

This is of particular importance since the Indian fishermen have almost always claimed that they were fishing in Indian waters when they were attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy. (Source: The Hindu)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

SLN releases 13 Indian fishermen

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

April 15 declared a government holiday

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings