Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu dead after boat capsized in Sri Lankan waters
The Ministry of External Affairs Thursday called Sri Lanka’s acting high commissioner to its office to register a strong protest over the death of an Indian fisherman after a fishing boat collided with a Sri Lankan naval vessel.
“We expressed our shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life,” an MEA release read. The MEA reiterated the prioritisation of the “safety and security” of Indian fishermen and the need to deal with the issues in a humanitarian way.
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha will raise the issue with the Sri Lankan government in Colombo, the ministry said. The consulate in Jaffna has been mobilised to provide support to the fishermen and their families.
“Existing understandings between the two governments in that regard must be strictly observed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence or resort to the use of force,” the release added.
The boat was carrying four fishermen, all of whom fell into the sea after a tussle with Sri Lankan authorities when they were allegedly trying to avoid arrest by the navy patrol vessel.
While two fishermen were brought ashore to safety, one was still missing. Search operations were underway to find the missing person. The boat capsized early Thursday in Sri Lankan waters, five nautical miles north of Katchatheevu.
Fishing rights around the island are a longstanding issue and a source of tension between India and Sri Lanka. While traditionally, Indian fishermen from Rameswaram, Thangachimadam and Pamban in Tamil Nadu have fished in the area, frequent arrests by Sri Lankan authorities have raised concerns.