Encourage SL-India deep sea fishing: Mathai

11 October 2011 08:48 pm

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai has stressed the need for Sri Lanka and India to jointly encourage deep sea fishing by fishermen of the two countries so that possible clashes along the narrow strip of sea off the north of Sri Lanka could be avoided.

Mr. Mathai who ended his visit to Sri Lanka on Monday had met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He is reported to have said there was a bountiful deep sea fishing ground that could be used by fisherman of the two countries instead of confining their fishing to the traditional areas.

Mr. Mathai also visited the north and had a meeting with Jaffna District Secretary Emilda Sukumar who said Tamil Nadu fishermen were exploiting the fishing resources meant for Jaffna fishermen.

Earlier, India had also proposed to share the economic zones of the two countries by fishermen of both sides. (Kelum Bandara)