Resolutions to be forwarded to Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
Chennai: The vexed fishing row involving Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka fishermen made some headway on Monday after both parties reached an agreement on some issues after a day-long negotiation.
A representative each from TN and Lankan fishermen delegations who jointly briefed media after the seven-hour meeting, which started at 10am at the office of directorate of state fisheries department, said the two sides had frankly discussed various issues, agreed and adopted resolutions, which would be sent to the governments for approval and subsequent implementation.
One of TN representatives U. Arulanandham of Rameswaram said the talks were ‘useful’ and forward-looking and the deliberations of the meeting would be conveyed to Tamil Nadu chief minister for approval.
The talks have created an amicable situation, Mr Arulanandham emphasised reasoning that similar talks have failed in the past, as the decisions were not informed to governments and hence it was decided to inform and get their approval prior to implementation.
Lankan representative T. Sathasivam, who described the talks as ‘frank’ and ‘cordial’, said some fishing methods have been banned both in Lanka and Tamil Nadu and the two governments should come forward to find solutions to the same.
Both country representatives evaded queries pertaining to crossing maritime borders for fishing and Katchatheevu islet status. When asked if agreement was reached on boundary dispute issue, Mr Sathasivam said it was for the governments to settle it, be it international maritime boundary line or two countries sea border.
About 18 Lankan fishermen from Colombo and 13 from TN participated in the meeting, observed by state fisheries minister K. A. Jeyapal and state fisheries department secretary Dr S. VijayakÂumar among others.
( Source : dc )
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