New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of External Affairs today said that it has taken note of reports about detention of 36 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy and both the countries have mutually decided to discuss the matter in a virtual meeting on December 30.
While addressing media here today, MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said that the Ministry will discuss the issue with the Sri Lankan government and press for the early release of the detained fishermen, apart from ensuring consular access to them.
On December 14 and 15, the Sri Lankan Navy “apprehended” 36 Indian fishermen and 5 of their fishing vessels.
“Similar information has also been received from the Government of Tamil Nadu,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said while responding to a query on the issue.
He said that the Government attaches high priority to this issue and the Ministry is in close touch with the Government of Sri Lanka through its High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna to verify the information and to ensure consular access and facilitate the early release of the fishermen and their boats.
The fishermen issue and the matter of fishing boats have been on the agenda of bilateral discussion between India and Sri Lanka for many years, MEA said.
“The two Governments have been seized of this essentially humanitarian matter at high levels. There exists a common understanding to handle the matter in a humanitarian manner.
There are well established bilateral mechanisms between India and Sri Lanka for discussions and cooperation on the issue of fishermen,” the MEA spokesman said.
He further said that since the established bilateral mechanisms between the two nations could not be convened due to ongoing Covid-19 related restrictions, it has now been mutually agreed to hold a meeting of the bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries through the virtual format on December 30, 2020.
“The JWG, which is led on our side by Secretary, Department of Fisheries, is expected to address all the issues relating to the subject of fisheries between India and Sri Lanka including release of apprehended fishermen and fishing boats, modalities of communication between relevant authorities on the two sides, cooperation in dealing with issues related to livelihood of the fishing communities on both sides and such other matters as are mutually agreed upon,” he said.
-ARK
