31 October 2014 04:40 pm
Responding to a question, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said India understands Sri Lanka's prevalent laws.
He said India's concerns raised on yesterday's verdict should not present Sri Lanka with any problems.
The five fishermen, all hailing from Tamil Nadu, were apprehended in 2011 by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of smuggling of drugs in the seas off northern Jaffna's Delft islet.
"India is clearly aware of another country's legal systems, treaties signed, convicts exchange agreements," Rambukwella said adding that Sri Lanka need not make any interpretation of Indian concerns.
Rambukwella was asked about Sri Lankan government's reaction to India's reported bid to appeal against the Sri Lankan High Court death sentence against the Indian fishermen.
The Indian government through its High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate General of India in Jaffna has been extending all possible consular assistance to them, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Syed Akbaruddin said.
"Government of India is fully committed to continue providing all assistance to the Indian fishermen. The lawyers of the Indian fishermen will file an appeal to the next court of appeal within the prescribed 14 days," the spokesman said.
The court ruling had triggered violent protests in parts of Tamil Nadu yesterday. Sporadic violence broke out in and around Rameswaram island as a large number of people staged protests against the Sri Lankan court's verdict.(PTI)