SL rejects TN fishermen's demand

Sri Lanka on Tuesday rejected the demand of Indian fishermen, especially those from Tamil Nadu, to allow fishing in its waters of for 63 days a year.

Mahinda Amaraweera, Fisheries Minister, told The Hindu on Tuesday evening that “we will not allow them to do fishing even for a single day in our waters.”

The Minister's observation was a natural sequel to the “unanimous position” of fishermen's federations across the island against permitting the Tamil Nadu fishermen to use mechanised bottom trawlers.

The federations, a couple of weeks ago, conveyed their stand to the government.