Red tape : Continued detention of Lankan fishermen

by P. Krishnaswamy

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has taken all legal and diplomatic measures to secure the release of the 51 Sri Lankan fishermen being held in detention for the past seven months in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said Deputy Fisheries Minister Neomal Perera.

The long detention of the fishermen has led to protest demonstrations by their family members and trade unions. Red tape and lack of coordination between the Indian administration and the union territory in the archipelago have delayed their release, he said.

The latest demo attended by over 800 people of the fishing community took place outside the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Maligawatte, recently. Representations have been made to the Indian Home Minister and Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Steve Ray through Sri Lanka's High Commission in New Delhi. Lawyers retained by the High Commission also took up the case at the Courts of Port Blair, the capital of the islands. All relevant legal documents have been submitted through the High Commission. Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP designated a senior government official to take up the matter with the Indian Home Ministry during his recent visit to New Delhi, the Deputy Minister said.