India releases three Lankan fishing vessels

The Indian Government yesterday released three Sri Lankan fishing vessels apprehended in 2006 and 2007 on allegations of entering Indian territorial waters illegally and for poaching.

Two Sri Lanka fishing vessels Pramoda Putha I and Pramoda Putha II were apprehended by Indian authorities on August 10, 2006 with 10 crew members for illegally entering Indian waters for fishing.

After serving their sentence, the 10 crew members were repatriated by air on December 22, 2006 by the Deputy High Commission in Chennai, India, in coordination with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the vessels were confiscated to the Indian Government following a Magistrate ruling.

Another Sri Lankan fishing vessel, Devdu Prasansa, was also apprehended by Indian authorities on June 13, 2007, with four crew members for the same offence.

After serving their sentence, the crew were repatriated by air on October 31, 2007 by the Deputy High Commission in coordination with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the vessel was confiscated to the Indian Government based on the Magistrate's ruling.

The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission made various representations to the Tamil Nadu Government on behalf of these fishing vessels and the matter was referred to the Central Government in New Delhi for a final decision.

Meanwhile, in keeping with long-standing relations between Sri Lanka and India, the Sri Lankan Government had, in the past, released a large number of Indian fishermen with their fishing vessels, arrested by the Navy for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, especially from Tamil Nadu, based on requests by the Governments of India and Tamil Nadu, the most recent being the release of three Tamil Nadu fishermen on January 11, 2008.

In reciprocating the goodwill demonstrated by the Sri Lankan Government, the Indian Government has now ordered the release of the three Sri Lankan fishing vessels.

The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, in the forefront of these efforts, is in the process of liaising with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Foreign Ministry and Governments of India and Tamil Nadu in arranging the repatriation of these vessels back to Sri Lanka. Asian Tribune