Indian poaching: Devananda takes a tough stand

Three trawlers, 22 fishers held

EPDP leader and Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has told Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan that Indian fishing fleet must not be allowed to fish in Sri Lankan waters under any circumstances.

A statement issued by the Fisheries Ministry quoted Minister Devananda as having told Minister Radhakrishnan, over the phone, that a request made by the Tamil Nadu administration, in this regard, couldn’t be granted.

Devananda has declared that he was opposed to allowing Tamil Nadu fishermen access until a permanent solution, acceptable to both countries, could be reached.

The EPDP leader has stressed that his participation in talks meant to settle this issue would depend on an assurance given by the Tamil Nadu administration that poaching would be halted, pending an amicable settlement. Meanwhile, addressing a meeting at Kilinochchi, where the government announced the release of more private property held by the military, Minister Devananda said that the Navy should further step up operations against poaching Indian vessels. The Minister appreciated the Navy chasing away Indian trawlers, poaching in Sri Lankan waters, over the weekend, and the arrest of three trawlers, along with 22 persons, off the Kovilan Lighthouse, in Karainagar. The trawlers, along with 22 Indian fishermen, were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and handed over to the Miladi Fisheries Inspector for legal action. With the latest apprehension, the Navy has arrested a total of 15 Indian trawlers and 110 Indian fishermen for poaching in Lankan waters so far this year, and subsequently handed them over to the relevant area authorities to institute legal proceedings. (SF)