Navy denies attack on Indian fishermen

Ridma Dissanayake

The Sri Lanka Navy categorically denies the allegation that Sri Lanka Naval personnel attacked Indian fishermen fishing in the seas off the Kachchative Island on Saturday, as quoted by The Hindu yesterday, Sri Lanka Navy Media Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasooriya said.

The Sri Lanka Navy has expressed its concern over the false allegations made repeatedly accusing the Sri Lanka Navy of harassing Indian fishermen.

"No credible proof has been provided regarding any Sri Lanka Navy involvement on any occasion. However, on numerous occasions, the Sri Lanka Navy has come to the rescue of Indian fishermen in distress and provided them with assistance using their own personnel and vessels, he said.

The Navy rescued nine fishermen onboard two trawlers on January 22. The trawlers had developed mechanical problems and had been drifting in the seas north of Mannar.

The two trawlers were towed to the Thalaimannar Naval Base and are being repaired by the Navy, prior to repatriation. "The Sri Lanka Navy briefed the Indian authorities on the measures taken to humanely treat Indian fishermen found in Sri Lankan waters, at the fourth International Maritime Boundary Line meeting held in Colombo recently, Commader Warnakulasooriya said. Naval ships and craft display their pennant numbers.

Any incident reported with regard to harassment should be made with date, time, location and pennant number of the craft or ship, he said.

"The Sri Lanka Navy, being a responsible and professional naval force honours international maritime law and provides humanitarian assistance to any seafarer in distress out at sea, he said.