SRI LANKAN-INDIAN FISHERMEN REACH AGREEMENT, AWAIT GOVT APPROVAL
January 27, 2014
Representatives of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen said they reached an agreement on the vexed issue of their fishing rights after daylong talks in Chennai on Monday. However, they said the agreement they reached should be approved by their respective governments.
Talking to newspersons after the talks, Arulanandam, a fisherman from Rameshwaram, said they held open and smooth discussions on the issue.
Sadasivam, a fisherman from Sri Lanka, said it was up to the two governments of both countries to resolve the issues relating to flouting of the international maritime boundary line by fishermen.
They said they discussed the contentious issue of fishing near Katchatheevu and the decision should be approved by the governments.
Meanwhile, a source told TOI that five resolutions were adopted during the talks. The resolutions would be sent to the respective governments for approval.
The meeting, aimed at resolving the vexed issue of traditional fishing rights in Palk Straits, today seemed to have made some headway, but both sides were tightlipped on what transpired in the closed-door meet held in the presence of government representatives from the two countries.
Briefing reporters after the day-long discussions, one representative each from both country - U Arulanandam from India and Sri Lanka’s Sathasivam - said the talks went on “smoothly” and the decisions taken at the meeting would be communicated to the respective governments.
Arulanandam said there was good progress in talks and indicated that the decisions will be released only by the respective governments.
In the brief media interaction, Sathasivam echoed Arulanandam and said that “certain decisions” have been taken, which will be communicated to governments of both countries.
They also parried questions on the contentious issue of Katchatheevu, an islet ceded by India to Colombo in 1974.
The talks were held to find a solution to the dispute over fishing in the Palk Straits which has seen Tamil Nadu fishermen coming under alleged attacks and detentions by Lankan Navy frequently.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had on Saturday made it clear that today’s talks will be held without prejudice to a case pending in Supreme Court on Katchatheevu issue by her.
She had said the talks would be based on a five point agenda which would include stressing the traditional fishing rights of Tamil fishermen in the Palk Straits, ending the assault on them and confiscation of their boats. – Agencies
