India Seeks Cooperation from Sri Lanka to Release Detained Fishermen
Colombo: On Wednesday, India called on Sri Lanka to assist in the swift release of Indian fishermen and their boats that have been detained by Sri Lankan authorities. The Indian government emphasized that a humane approach should guide efforts to resolve this ongoing issue.
This matter came up during discussions led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who was on a day-long visit to Colombo. It marked his first standalone trip to Sri Lanka in this role.
During his visit, Misri met with prominent leaders including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, and Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja. In these meetings, he raised concerns regarding the detained fishermen and requested Sri Lanka’s help in securing their release.
Misri underscored the importance of maintaining a humanitarian perspective that considers the livelihoods of fishermen as bilateral efforts continue to address this complex issue.
The situation surrounding fishermen has been a longstanding point of tension between India and Sri Lanka. There have been incidents where the Sri Lankan Navy has fired on Indian fishermen and detained their boats, amid claims of illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The Palk Strait, the body of water between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, serves as a key fishing area for both nations. Fishermen from each side frequently face arrest for unintentionally straying into the other’s territorial waters.
Just last month, the Sri Lankan navy took into custody nine Indian fishermen and confiscated their trawler for allegedly fishing in restricted areas.
Official reports indicate that by mid-April, 128 Indian fishermen had already been arrested this year, with 18 trawlers seized by Sri Lankan forces under similar claims.
