COLOMBO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- A high level Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka next month to discuss the deepening rift between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen, a minister said on Tuesday. Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne told reporters at a media briefing that the Indian delegation is expected to include the Indian external affairs minister, defense secretary and navy commander.
Senaratne said that the Indian delegation which is scheduled to arrive on Jan. 13 will look to work out a mechanism to ensure fishermen from both countries avoid clashing with each other.
Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen often clash when they cross the International Maritime Boundary to look for a better catch.
Indian fishermen often allege that the Sri Lankan navy attacks them when they enter Sri Lankan waters north of the island. The Sri Lankan navy has, however, rejected the allegations.
Senaratne also said that the Sri Lankan government has decided to make it mandatory for Sri Lankan fishermen to have insurance in order to obtain a license to fish at sea.
He said several fishermen were killed during the recent storm which lashed parts of the south of the country but yet the families of the victims could not claim insurance.
The minister said that although an insurance scheme is available for fishermen very few have made use of it and as a result the government is to make it mandatory from January for fishermen to obtain insurance.
