Govt rejects allegations of Navy harming Indian fishermen

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The Government has vehemently rejected the Tamil Nadu-based allegation that the Sri Lanka Navy opened fire at the Indian fishermen in Lankan waters.

Media Minister and Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said such allegations were brought up to sabotage the goodwill between Sri Lanka and India.

"These allegations are baseless and we can reassure that Sri Lanka Navy personnel had not opened fire at any Indian fishermen", he said.

Minister Rambukwella who visited India with President Mahinda Rajapaksa last month said the issue was discussed at length at their meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"President Rajapaksa had specifically explained the measures taken by the Government to safeguard the fishermen of both countries. He also discussed the implementation of a joint strategy to ensure their safety and to solve their issues", he said.

According to Minister Rambukwella, both leaders had agreed that the issues were getting aggravated after Sri Lanka relaxed the fishing restrictions imposed during the military operation against the LTTE. "There are no fishing restrictions and fishermen from both countries are actively engaged in fishing. They are not bothered about territorial waters and restrictions and only want a good catch. It is time for both countries to work out a strategy to prevent such issues", he said.

However, the Tamil Nadu media has reported the death of a 55-year-old fisherman from the State and has claimed that SLN personnel had attacked a group of Indian fishermen off Kodiakarai coast, in the Nagapattinam district.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has urged the Indian Government to take action to prevent such incidents.

Meanwhile, the SLN has refuted the allegation that they harassed Indian fishermen who are illegally exploiting the Lankan waters.

Navy Spokesman Captain Athula Senarath said the SLN had carried out an indepth investigation into the allegation that was reported in the Tamil Nadu media and found that no SLN vessel was sailing in the location mentioned.

Senarath told the Sunday Observer that the allegations were baseless and that SLN personnel had been given tough orders to maintain the standards and procedures when dealing with Indian fishermen illegally fishing in Lankan waters.

Senarath said the killing of Indian fishermen has never happened and the SLN has always adhered to the proper procedures to ensure their safety.