Colombo: Tamil Nadu MPs have expressed
concern over the Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen straying into
each others territory and said a joint committee should be set
up to resolve the problem.
The issue was raised by T R Baalu, who led a 10-member
delegation comprising MPs belonging to the DMK-led front in
Tamil Nadu, when he met the Sri Lankan Prime Minister
Ratnasiri Wickramanayake last evening here.
"The leader of the group of parliamentarian T R Baalu
said there were constant problems of Sri Lankan and Indian
fishermen straying off the territorial waters of each country
and the coast guard and navy authorities often arrested such
fishermen," the state-run Daily News daily reported today.
"Therefore, he would suggest to the Government of
India to propose a joint committee comprising representatives
of the Governments of Sri Lanka, India and Tamil Nadu State to
resolve the problems faced by fishermen," the Daily News said.
As per available information, as against 5 Indian
boats and 19 fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan
authorities in 2006, a total of 19 boats and 107 Indian
fishermen were detained in 2007.
While in 2008, 334 Indian boats and 1456 fishermen
were apprehended, in 2009, 21 boats and 85 Indian fishermen
were detained as on July 10, according to officials.
The Tamil Nadu parliamentarians also suggested the
organisation of trade fairs in both South India and Sri Lanka
so that there could be trade exchanges for the mutual benefit
of the two countries, the newspaper said.
"Prime Minister Wickramanayake said there were several
misconceptions about both countries and the visit of the Tamil
Nadu parliamentarians would clear misunderstanding and help
create a dialogue," the newspaper said.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama also
held a meeting with the Indian delegation and discussed
various issues.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 21:41