International Desk: The fishermen issue between Sri Lanka and India is a long-standing one, and it has been a source of tension between the two countries. In recent years, there have been several incidents of Indian fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters. Sri Lankan fishermen have also been arrested by Indian authorities for similar reasons.
The issue is a complex one, and there is no easy solution. It is rooted in the fact that the two countries share a maritime border, and there is a lot of overlap in the fishing grounds of the two countries. Additionally, there is a lot of poverty among fishermen on both sides, and they are often forced to fish in areas where they are not allowed to, in order to make a living.
In a recent interview, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that the two countries need to “sit and talk” in order to find a lasting solution to the fishermen issue. He said that both countries need to be sensitive to each other’s security concerns, and that they need to find a way to ensure that fishermen from both countries can fish safely and sustainably. Sabry noted that the two nations have a history of sitting, negotiating and resolving problems, “just like in a family.”
On August 29, ten Indian Fishermen who were allegedly arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and were later released by the Sri Lankan government reached Chennai Airport. This comes after the Sri Lankan Court issued an order for their release and asked security forces to initiate the process. On August 22, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday urged the Central Government for “immediate intervention” to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.
In a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Stalin said, “I want to bring to your attention an issue of grave concern that demands immediate intervention. Recent reports have highlighted an increased number of attacks on Tamil fishermen by Sri Lankan nationals, and on August 21, 2023, alone, nine instances were reported. These incidents are causing serious harm to their morale and impact livelihood severely,” CM Stalin said in his letter. Stalin said that the attackers inflicted physical harm upon Indian citizens and subjected them to theft, leaving them helpless and distressed.
“The livelihood of our fishermen is intricately tied to the oceans and these recurring acts of violence not only jeopardise their lives and well-being but also hinder their ability 10 sustain their families and communities. Such incidents undermine the spirit of peaceful coexistence and violate their fundamental rights and the principles of international maritime law,” TN CM said in his letter. The Chief Minister urged the External Affairs Minister to take necessary steps to “request the Sri Lankan authorities to take swift and decisive action to identify and bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.”
It is important to find a solution that is acceptable to both countries and that takes into account the needs of the fishermen. The fishermen issue is a humanitarian issue, and it needs to be resolved in a humane and compassionate manner.