December 11, Colombo (LNW): The ongoing fishing dispute between India and Sri Lanka will be a key topic of discussion during the upcoming official visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran disclosed.
The visit, which is scheduled from December 15 to 17, is expected to focus on several bilateral issues, with the fishing controversy taking centre stage.
Chandrasekaran revealed that discussions between officials from both countries have already taken place, aimed at addressing the tensions surrounding fishing practices in the waters off Sri Lanka’s northern coast.
He stressed that the matter requires mutual understanding and cooperation from both parties to reach a long-term, sustainable solution that benefits both countries’ fishermen.
The fishing activities of Tamil Nadu fishermen in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters have been a long-standing issue, with many Sri Lankan fishermen in the north feeling the adverse effects of the intrusion.
These cross-border fishing practices have led to tensions over maritime boundaries and resource management, threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen in Sri Lanka, particularly in the northern regions.
Chandrasekaran emphasised that the current government is committed to resolving this issue promptly, with a focus on finding a solution that is acceptable to both sides.
He further revealed that the Sri Lanka Navy has increased its patrols and operations in a bid to apprehend Tamil Nadu fishermen who are found to be fishing within Sri Lankan waters, in violation of the country’s maritime boundaries.
