Consensus reached on Indo-Lanka fishermen's issue

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The Sri Lankan Government and the Indian Government have reached consensus in their discussions on the Indo-Lanka fishermen issue.

The first round of discussions on this issue began in Delhi on Tuesday. The Government has taken the stand that the Indian Government can take action against Sri Lankan fishermen who cross the Indian border but they have no right to fish in Sri Lankan waters, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne told the Sunday Observer.

According to the Minister there was a big difference between Indian fishermen crossing Sri Lankan borders and our fishermen crossing the Indian border.

Hundreds of Indian trawlers cross our border and at times this number exceeds thousands. Sri Lankan fishermen also cross their border. But there are isolated cases and not done in an organised manner.

The Indian fishermen come to the Northern border of Sri Lanka and attack our fishermen by destroying their fishing gear as well. The Indian fishermen who come in organised gangs fish in Sri Lankan waters three days a week and return.