India and Sri lanka on Monday held a ministerial level meeting in Colombo to work out mechanisms for a permanent solution to the perennial issue of fishermen between the two countries. To begin with, Sri lanka will immediately release 51 Indian fishermen from its custody while India will free three lankan fishermen. lanka has also agreed to consider returning a large number of Indian fishing boats.
“As result of the ministerial meeting, Sri lanka is releasing 51 Indian fishermen and we are releasing three Sri lankan fishermen. Most significantly, Sri lanka has also agreed to consider our request for release of fishing boats,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi after the meeting. Sources said an understanding was also reached at the meeting to ensure that there was no physical harm or loss of life caused while apprehending fishermen by Navy and Coast Guard of the two countries.
During the meeting both sides agreed to a set up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expedite the release and handing over of fishermen in each other’s custody on completion of respective legal and procedural formalities.
Sri lanka has periodically freed Indian fishermen caught by its Navy but their boats are not often returned. lanka’s assurance to consider release of fishing boats is significant given the fact a large number of Indian vessels were in its custody, affecting livelihood of the Indian fishermen.
The meeting was attended by Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare from the Indian side while Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development represented Sri lanka. The ministerial talks followed the first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on fisheries held in New Delhi on 31 December 2016.
“As part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) agreed to by both sides, it was decided to intensify cooperation in patrolling and to institute periodic interaction between the Coast Guard of the two countries. It was agreed to explore the possibility of introducing effective tracking systems for the fishing vessels and making the use of onboard communication equipment mandatory,” said a joint press communiqué issued after the talks.
The lankan side talked about ending the practice of bottom trawling by the Indian fishermen. India assured that bottom trawling would be phased out in a graded time-bound manner within a timeframe keeping in mind the capacity building of the
fishermen.
The lankan side was also briefed about the measures already instituted by India in this regard, including the decision to construct a new fishing harbour at Mookaiyur in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, and the capacity building programme for Indian fishermen on deep sea fishing that will begin from Tuesday at Chennai and Kochi.