Sri Lankan govt invites Tamil Nadu fishermen for talks

[mirage2K]

NEW DELHI: The Sri Lankan government on Friday reached out to fishermen community of Tamil Nadu as President Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother and economic development minister Basil met their delegation here with a promise of addressing their concerns.

Basil invited the fishermen to Sri Lanka to meet President Rajapaksa, ministers and representatives of the navy and coast guard to discuss their problems which include killings, arrests and harassment of Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait by Sri Lankan navy.

"It has been decided to have an open dialogue between both countries' fishermen with the consent of governments of India and Sri Lanka," a source familiar with the development told PTI here.

Through people-to-people contact, the problems can be solved, Basil Rajapaksa told the Tamil Nadu fishermen's delegation.

Devadass and Sesudass, representing the association, appealed to Rajapaksa to give instructions to the Navy not to disturb or arrest them while fishing in the traditional areas.

They also requested him to release all the fishermen from Tamil Nadu, arrested by the Lankan navy, association sources said.

The fishermen's association functionaries met the minister in the wake of incidents of Tamil fishermen being threatened and arrested by the Lankan navy. The fishermen also charged the Lankan naval sailors caused damages to their fishing nets and boats.

Meanwhile, all the 49 fishermen from the state, arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 5 while fishing near the Palk Straits and released by the island nation's court a couple of days ago, were handed over to Indian Coast Guard officials at the International Martime Boundary Line today.

Eight fishermen, who were arrested on June 15, were still in Sri Lankan prison, the sources said.
Sri Lankan govt invites Tamil Nadu fishermen for talks - The Times of India

 

[sankranti]

This is a positive and sensible step. Good to see SL proceeding along logical lines and not emotional. Resolution is not far.

 

[Gibbs]

SL needs to stand it's ground, Be firm.. To protect it's sovereignty and territorial integrity.. And not let these Madrasi petty thieves and poachers destroy our marine wealth and the livelyhoods of northern fishermen.. No joker has the right to trespass sovereign territory and get away with it

 

[third eye]

A good step in the right direction.

If successful it will take the wind out the sails of TN politicians.

 

[MohitV]

atleast someone is forgetting the past and heading towards a brighter future over here

 

[mirage2K]

SL needs to stand it's ground, Be firm.. To protect it's sovereignty and territorial integrity.. And not let these Madrasi petty thieves and poachers destroy our marine wealth and the livelyhoods of northern fishermen.. No joker has the right to trespass sovereign territory and get away with it

tell your joker Basil this

 

[Manindra]

Good step by Sri Lankan Government

 

[Gibbs]

Who are these Madrasi thieves trying to fool..

TN fishermen arrested

The Navy arrested 21 Indian fishermen off the seas of Thailaimannar, Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

He said that five boats in which the Indians entered Sri Lankan waters were also seized.

The Navy arrested the Indians last evening and brought them ashore this morning and handed them over to the police.

The fishermen were detained last night when they were fishing in the sea area around 4 nautical miles off Talaimannar, police said.


The latest arrest came just as the Sri Lankan authorities had freed over 40 Indian fishermen who had been arrested for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

Just last week Tamil Nadu fishermen had expressed their desire to visit Sri Lanka to hold discussions with the aim of arriving at practical solutions to issues that face the fishermen of both countries.

The request was put forward to Minister Basil Rajapaksa when he met representatives of the Tamil Nadu Fishermen Federation in New Delhi.

The Minister had emphasised the importance of maintaining and enhancing people-to-people contact between the fishing communities in northern Sri Lanka and in Tamil Nadu in India to resolve problems of fishermen amicably and meaningfully. (Colombo Gazette)

Indian fishermen arrested*|*Colombo Gazette

 

[Sashan]

Who are these Madrasi thieves trying to fool..



Indian fishermen arrested*|*Colombo Gazette

SL along with the Indian central government cheated the Madrasis of their land - Katchatheevu - The reason behind all the issues.


P.S - if you do not mind your words, you will be paid back in kind.

 

[Skyline]

........

Sri Lanka Navy arrests 21 Indian Fishermen poaching in Mannar Seas

Naval troops attached to the North Central Naval Command arrested 21 Indian fishermen and 05 trawlers poaching in the Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar on 06th July 2013. They were handed over to Thalaimannar Police for legal action.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

SL needs to stand it's ground, Be firm.. To protect it's sovereignty and territorial integrity.. And not let these Madrasi petty thieves and poachers destroy our marine wealth and the livelyhoods of northern fishermen.. No joker has the right to trespass sovereign territory and get away with it

Thamizha Rattham Da. If you show the guts to go against Tamilians, India'll make you pay.

 

[Skyline]

Thamizha Rattham Da. If you show the guts to go against Tamilians, India'll make you pay.

Indian law apply in Indian waters, if they cross the maritime borders then it's Sri Lanka's law apply. You have to respect these laws otherwise this issue will continue. Tamil Indians don't have a shame and keep on stealing fish everyday and asking Indian government's help to steal fish in another country's waters which is impossible to do. lol

 

[Guynextdoor2]

Indian law apply in Indian waters, if they cross the maritime borders then it's Sri Lanka's law apply. You have to respect these laws otherwise this issue will continue. Tamil Indians don't have a shame and keep on stealing fish everyday and asking Indian government's help to steal fish in another country's waters which is impossible to do. lol

WTF is 'Tamil' Indians, all Indians will come over and wipe out your fish in waters. You have the ability to take on the might of India? Mind it I Say!

 

[Skyline]

WTF is 'Tamil' Indians, all Indians will come over and wipe out your fish in waters. You have the ability to take on the might of India? Mind it I Say!

hummmmm hummmmmmmmm lol

 

[Sher.Khan]

good initiative,it will be really good if this issue is resolved amicably.