Alleged firing on Indian fishermen:

Navy request India to forward any evidence

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake yesterday said that the Sri Lanka Navy has requested the Indian authorities to forward evidence, if they have any, to prove that Sri Lanka Navy is responsible for harassing and killing of any Indian fishermen.

Responding to the queries raised by the media at the ceremonial taking over of the command of the Sri Lanka Navy as the 17th Commander, Vice Admiral Dissanayake said those blaming the Sri Lanka Navy for harassing and killing of Indian fishermen should come out with evidence to prove allegations.

"They have a Navy, coast guard, satellite images and fishermen have cameras to take photographs of such incidents.

So they can give us evidence to prove those charges against the Sri Lanka Navy. But so far we haven't received any such evidence to prove those allegations", he added.

The Sri Lanka Navy was blamed by the Indian authorities this week over an alleged shooting incident which had taken place in the high seas.

He said the problem of Indian fishermen was there for a quite a long period and the Sri Lanka Navy has given firm instructions to sailors and officers not to harass any Indian fishermen.

They are also aware they cannot do such acts unnoticed by the radars of the Sri Lanka Navy or the Indian Navy.

"We have warned them if they are found guilty of any such incidents the Sri Lanka Navy or the Government would not appear on behalf of them.

Therefore, I am confident that no sailor or officer would engage in such acts against instructions knowing the fact that such acts would harm the cordial relationship we are having with India," he added.