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Fishing crisis: Lanka names team for talks, India silent
View(s):The Government has named a three-member delegation for talks on fisheries issues with the Indian government, but New Delhi has not yet responded to the invitation for talks, Fisheries Ministry Secretary D.M.R.B. Dissanayaka said yesterday. He said the ministry was awaiting a reply from India to finalise the dates for the talks.
“After talks between the representatives of the two fishing communities ended in a deadlock early this year, we are trying to move forward to solve this issue through an official meeting,” he said. The Sri Lankan delegation would comprise Fisheries Ministry Advisor S. Subasinghe, Fisheries Director General Nimal Hettiarachchi and Additional Solicitor General Suhada Gamalath.
“We sent the official invitation to India last month. We are waiting for a reply. Since the Narendra Modi government came to office only recently, the response may be delayed. But we are willing to work with India,” Fisheries Ministry Spokesman Narendra Rajapaksa said. Meanwhile, all Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy have been released, though 26 of their boats are still in custody.
Last month, the Sri Lankan Government, as a goodwill gesture towards the new Narendra Modi government in New Delhi, began releasing the Indian fishermen taken into custody while poaching in Sri Lankan waters. However, 64 Sri Lankan fishermen are still in jails in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. On Friday, 39 Sri Lankan fishermen held by the Indian authorities were released.
They are now staying at the Mahabodhi Society premises and will come to Sri Lanka on a date set by the navies of India and Sri Lanka, Mr. Rajapaksa said.
Meanwhile, fishermen in Rameswaram held a demonstration against the arrest of fishermen and the seizing of their boats.