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TNA publicly condemns Indian poaching
The Tamil National Alliance has for the first time objected to Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters when its leaders met India’s visiting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday.
“We raised the issue of the fishermen and the fact that intrusions had escalated,” TNA parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran said. “She said she was aware of that. There were to be talks between the fishermen of the two countries on March 11 but the talks had been put off and will be held after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.”
Swarms of Indian fishermen in destructive bottom-trawlers are poaching in Sri Lankan seas, causing serious harm to the livelihood of northern fishermen and to the ecological system. “We gave a letter that the Jaffna District Fishermen’s Cooperative Federation sent to us to obtain a meeting with Prime Minister Modi when he is here,” Mr. Sumanthiran said. “Even if there is no meeting possible, we requested her to create an avenue through which their grievances can be brought to the notice of the Prime Minster.”
“I think they are taking it quite seriously and the fact that we (TNA) have also now, very publicly, taken up the matter will help in that way,” Mr. Sumanthiran said. The TNA’s representations to Minister Swaraj came against the backdrop of a “controversy”— predominantly triggered by Indian media — regarding comments made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to an Indian television station. When questioned repeatedly by the broadcast journalist about past incidents of the Sri Lankan Navy shooting at Indian poachers, Mr. Wickremesinghe urged the fishermen to stay in their own territorial waters.
“If someone tries to break into my house, I can shoot,” he says. “If he gets killed, the law allows me to do that. On the fishermen issue, as far as I’m concerned, I have very, very strong lines.” He also pointed out that India had picked up Italian marines accused of killing Indian fishermen. “Why do you pick up the Italian sailors? You say you are friendly with Italy. Show that same magnanimity to Italy that you want us to show.”
India subsequently said it would take up these comments with Mr. Wickremesinghe during a luncheon meeting Minister Swaraj had with Mr. Wickremesinghe yesterday. Within an hour of the meeting ending, Syed Akbaruddin, Official Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, gave out information to the media.
Indian media quoted Mr. Akbaruddin as saying yesterday, “In the discussion with Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, she (Swaraj) raised the matter regarding issues related to Indian fishermen. She explained our view that issues of fishermen are a humanitarian issue. It is an issue of livelihood.”
Ms. Swaraj also reportedly made clear to Mr. Wickremesinghe that “there was no comparison between the issues of Italian sailors and the fishermen”. “These are two different issues,” he said. “The External Affairs Minister forthrightly explained to Sri Lanka Prime Minister our perspective on this. Our understanding is that he does understand what the nuances and differences are and agreed to take this conversation forward.”
There were no details available of the talks from the Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s office. Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Perera confirmed that fishing issues were discussed during the meeting, but refused to reveal details.