CM Vijay writes to Jaishankar, seeks release of 20 fishermen from Sri Lanka

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting immediate action to secure the release of 20 Tamil Nadu fishermen and 270 fishing boats currently detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.

In his letter, the chief minister sought the union minister’s personal attention regarding the continuous apprehension of fishermen from the State. He highlighted a recent incident on October 3, where the Sri Lankan Navy arrested nine fishermen from Rameswaram and confiscated their mechanised boat.CM Vijay stated that such recurring incidents are causing significant concern and fear among Tamil Nadu’s coastal fishing communities.

Fishermen from Ramanathapuram and adjoining coastal districts traditionally rely on the Palk Bay region as their primary source of livelihood. The arrests and boat seizures are subjecting their families to immense distress and severe economic hardship, he noted.

Emphasising the need for a lasting resolution, the chief minister stated that the continuous nature of these incidents underscores the necessity to strengthen the existing official framework for bilateral negotiations.

He urged the union government to properly restructure the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries and convene its meeting at the earliest to find a permanent, constructive solution to the issues faced by fishermen of both nations.

Vijay appealed to the External Affairs Minister to take up the matter immediately with the Sri Lankan government to ensure the swift release and repatriation of the 20 fishermen and the retrieval of the 270 confiscated boats.