Indian fishermen, trawlers in Lankan custody
February 15, 2011 08:22 pm
Eighteen Indian fishing trawlers along with 106 fishermen have been taken into the custody of the Point Pedro Police says DIG Gamini Silva. They have been arrested for intruding into Sri Lankan territorial waters, Mr. Silva added.
They have been arrested for intruding into Sri Lankan territorial waters, Mr. Silva added.
Meanwhile the Fisheries Ministry today had released satellite pictures pinpointing the intrusion of fishing boats into Sri Lankan waters. Minister Rajitha Senaratna had reportedly stated that fishermen from the north have complained that though trawler fishing had been banned for them, Indian trawlers were carrying on their fishing in similar manner.
Minister Senaratna had said that discussions were on between India and Sri Lanka to resolve the issue and they were prepared to review earlier agreements as well.
Indian fishermen had earlier complained that the Sri Lankan Navy had harassed them and even shot at an killed some of them. This has been strongly denied by the Sri Lanka Navy.