Meet ends on positive note as Sri Lanka agrees to free 51 fishermen

The next meeting of the JWG will be held in Colombo in April 2017 to review the progress made in addressing the fishermen issues in a comprehensive manner.
For representational purpose | PTI
For representational purpose | PTI

NEW DELHI/COLOMBO:The much awaited ministerial level talks between India and Sri Lanka ended on a positive note after Sri Lanka agreed to immediately release 51 Indian fishermen from its custody and to consider returning a large number of fishing boats. In a reciprocal move, India will also free three Lankan fishermen.

Sharing details of the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi, “As a 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.”
The meeting held in Colombo was a follow-up to the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held last week. The Indian delegation in Colombo was headed by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh while the Sri Lankan side was led by Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

According to the joint statement, both sides agreed to a set up Standard Operating Procedures to expedite the release and handing over of fishermen in each other’s custody on completion of respective legal and procedural formalities. “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 said.
An understanding was also reached to ensure that there was no physical harm or loss of life while apprehending fishermen by Navy and Coast Guard of the two countries. The statement also said both sides agreed to explore the possibility of introducing effective tracking systems for the fishing vessels and making the use of onboard communication equipment mandatory.

During the talks, the Sri Lankan side reiterated that the practice of bottom trawling needed to end at the earliest. “The Indian side assured that bottom trawling would be phased out in a graded time-bound manner within a practicable timeframe keeping in mind the capacity building of the fishermen who have to be diversified into deep sea fishing as well as other coastal fisheries activities including mariculture, pearl farming and seaweed culture,” the statement added. Till now, 91 bottom trawlers have been replaced by tuna long line vessels in India.

The Sri Lankan side was briefed about the measures already instituted, including the decision to construct a new fishing harbour at Mookaiyur in Ramanathapuram district, and the capacity building programme for Indian fishermen on deep-sea fishing that commences on Tuesday at Chennai and Kochi.
A Sri Lankan official who took part in the talks told Express that the most important contributory factor for the progress in the talks was the European Union’s tough stand on illegal fishing.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com