Talks between fishermen of the two countries would a positive first step, says Kuttiyandi, president of mechanised boats fishermen association of Jegathapattinam in Pudukkottai district. Although two rounds of talks between Sri Lankan and Tamil Nadu fishermen at Chennai and Ramanathapuram, led by Arulanantham, functionary of fishermen association for peace, failed, there is no harm is making a fresh attempt, he feels. Sorting out differences mutually would be much better than getting assaulted or shot by Sri Lankan Navy personnel, he reasons.
The Lankan Navy comes into play because Tamil Nadu fishermen never pay compensation for the nets of Sri Lankan fishermen accidentally torn in international or Sri Lankan waters. That ends up in attacks and arrests, he says.
Kuttiyandi feels the meeting should address such issues and suggest ways to sort out mutual differences. Also other issues like protection for fishermen on boats that might drift into Lankan waters should be discussed, he suggests.