Joint working group on fishing:
Lanka, India meet
Talks to strengthen fishermen’s safety, security:
Sri Lankan authorities yesterday said that it is the consistent
policy of Sri Lanka to treat in a humanitarian manner all foreign
fishermen including those of Indian origin who cross into Sri Lankan
waters.
Authorities said given the very close bilateral relationship between
Sri Lanka and India any development which impacts on the well-being of
the Indian fishing community pursuing their livelihoods in the waters
between the two countries, is of the utmost concern to Sri Lanka.
This was convened to Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao during her
high level talks with the Government.
It was also decided that the next meeting of the Joint Working Group
on Fishing would be convened at an early date, which would, inter-alia,
address various issues relating to fishing by the two sides.
The Joint Working Group would also address the proposed Memorandum of
Understanding on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries.
It was decided as well to enhance and promote contacts between the
fishermen’s associations on both sides, since such contacts have proved
to be mutually beneficial.
Rao during her visit, called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris yesterday. She also met
Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and External Affairs Secretary C R Jayasinghe. She
left the island yesterday.
During the discussions, Foreign Secretary Rao expressed the deep
concern of the Indian Government at the recent violent incidents in the
waters between India and Sri Lanka, which had resulted in the tragic
death of two Indian fishermen.
She stressed that these incidents should be fully investigated and
all steps taken to prevent their recurrence in future.
The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to ascertaining the facts
behind the incidents.
While continuing with further inquiries, the Sri Lankan authorities
have requested that additional information be made available by the
Indian side. Both sides agreed that the use of force cannot be justified
under any circumstances, the authorities said.
The two sides noted that the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements
of October 26, 2008, which had put in place practical arrangements to
deal with bona fide fishermen crossing the International Maritime
Boundary Line (IMBL), had led to a decrease in incidents. They agreed on
the need to discuss arrangements based on the current situation so as to
strengthen the safety and security of the fishermen. |