Efforts on to end fishermen issue

The Centre on Wednesday informed Parliament that it is working towards evolving a permanent solution for Tamil fishermen issue and that the External Affairs Ministry is engaged in discussions with Sri Lanka.

Describing the issue as a serious and recurring one, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj is taking necessary interest and engaged in discussions with Sri Lanka from time to time.  Naidu’s intervention came after AIADMK’s P Venugopal raised the issue of frequent attacks on Tamil Fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy.“Over the years and months, these attacks have become very frequent and severe. From capture, detention and harassment of our fishermen, now a state has come when they are shot at sight. It is criminal, inhuman and unjustified action by Sri Lanka,” Venugopal said in Lok Sabha. He also slammed the Centre for not condemning the statement of Sri Lankan Prime Minister against Tamil fishermen. Venugopal said despite raising this issue on several occasions in the House, no concrete action had been taken by the government. (New Indian Express)