Diplomatic measures to free SL fishermen

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Prasad Kariyawasam in New Delhi,and Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai Vadivel Krishnamoorthy yesterday visited Port Blair of the Andaman Island to assess the situation of Sri Lankan fishermen who have been detained in the Andaman Island for crossing over into Indian territorial waters.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Damitha de Soyza yesterday said High Commissioner Kariyawasam and Deputy High Commissioner Krishnamoorthi will take diplomatic measures to obtain the release of six Sri Lankan fishermen being held in the Andaman Island.“They will also look into their welfare,” she said.There are two groups of Sri Lankan fishermen held in Andaman prisons.They were arrested along with their boats by the Indian Coast Guard foralleged violations of sea borders and fishing in their territorialwaters, she explained.

The Indian authorities recently released one group of fishermen withthe government’s intervention, she said.The fishermen held in custody are from coastal towns of Kalpitiyaand Chilaw.The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry is making arrangements to bring the remaining fishermen held in the Andaman island to the country without delay, said Secretary Soyza.“The Andaman Island has a different set of laws and regulations. We willsecure the fishermen’s release in accordance with their laws andregulations” she added.

“We have repeatedly asked our fishermen to take extra precautions soas not to stray into territorial waters of other countries. Weare constantly advising them to respect the International MaritimeBoundary Lines (IMBL),” she added.