New Delhi: In the wake of the killing of an Indian Tamil fisherman allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy on Monday night following which an angry India demanded a probe, Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced that “initial investigations indicate that the Sri Lanka Navy is not involved in the alleged incident”.
India on Tuesday morning said it was “deeply concerned” and that the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo has taken up the matter with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe adding that “the Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full and thorough investigation” into the incident.
Colombo, in turn, said that “if in fact a shooting has taken place, it is a matter of grave concern”, adding that “the Government of Sri Lanka is firm in its commitment to ensuring that all Government agencies treat all Indian fishermen in a humane manner at all times”.
There were also reports that a Sri Lankan Naval officer too denied the allegations, maintaining that Sri Lankan naval boats are “not authorised to shoot” at Indian fishermen.
In a statement from New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The Government of India is deeply concerned at the killing of an Indian fisherman. Our High Commissioner to Sri Lanka has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full and thorough investigation.”
In a statement from Colombo, Sri Lanka said, “The Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the alleged shooting on Indian fishermen, and the connected loss of life of one fisherman and injury caused to another.
The safety of fishermen is of utmost importance and the Government of Sri Lanka is firm in its commitment to ensuring that all Government agencies treat all Indian fishermen in a humane manner at all times.
Initial investigations indicate that the Sri Lanka Navy is not involved in this alleged incident. Irrespective of the parties involved, if in fact a shooting has taken place, it is a matter of grave concern, and all possible action will be taken, in cooperation with the relevant Indian authorities, to investigate into this incident, utilising GPS technology as well.”
According to some TV reports, a mid-ranking Sri Lankan Naval officer of the rank of Captain was also quoted as saying, "Our boats are not authorised to open fire. ... But we have been instructed to arrest fishermen and seize their boats if they are crossing the (maritime) border."
Just last month, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar had made a three-day visit to the island nation. It may also be recalled that in January this year, Sri Lanka had released 51 Indian fishermen from its custody and has also agreed to consider returning a large number of fishing boats.
This had been decided after ministerial-level talks between the two countries on the contentious fishermen's issue in the Sri Lankan Capital Colombo. An understanding was also reached then between the two countries to ensure that there would be no physical harm or loss of life while apprehending fishermen by the Navy and Coast Guard of the two countries. Fishermen of both countries fishing in each other's maritime waters is a sensitive issue.
During the meeting, both sides had then agreed to a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expedite the release and handing over of fishermen in each other's custody on completion of respective legal and procedural formalities.
As part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) agreed to by both sides, it was also decided then to intensify cooperation on patrolling and to institute periodic interaction between the Coast Guard of the two countries.
The talks had followed the first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on fisheries held in New Delhi on 31 December 2016. Both sides had also agreed to explore the possibility of introducing effective tracking systems for the fishing vessels and making the use of onboard communication equipment mandatory.
The next JWG meeting will be held in Colombo in April to "review the progress made in addressing the fishermen issues in a comprehensive manner".
