Vaiko seeks PM intervention to prevent Lanka from amending its maritime law
Chennai: MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use diplomatic channels to ensure the Sri Lanka does not add tough penal provisions to a 1979 law that could affect the lives of Tamil fishermen crossing maritime borders. In a memorandum submitted to Mr Modi in New Delhi, Mr Vaiko informed him how the amendment to regulate foreign fishing boats in Sri Lankan waters could affect the lives of TN fishermen.
“Lives of fishermen would be destroyed if the Sri Lankan legislation is enacted. They will have to pay fines up to Rs 7 crore when they are struggling to pay back existing debt,” he said. He apprised the prime minister about the unrest among fishermen in Rameshwaram and their plans to hold a protest demanding the Centre to act against Sri Lankan move. Mr Vaiko also sought Rs 10,000 crore for the relief and rehabilitation of the cyclone-hit districts in the state. “CM O. Paneerselvam has sought '1,000 crore in the first round. The state will need around Rs 10,000 crore from Disaster Management Fund due to the severity of destruction,” he said.
Vaiko requested Modi to remove “bulls” from the list of animals that shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animal so as to win the Supreme Court ruling. “Jallikattu does not harm animals, but whereas in Spain Catalonian Bulls are harmed. Despite the harm the ruling was overturned in Spain,” he said. “I request you to kindly expedite necessary legal and legislative actions to enabling the conduct of Jallikkattu in January 2017 during Pongal festival for which the people of Tamil Nadu will be ever grateful to you,” he said.
Terming Modi’s demonetisation as a strategic strike to eradication corruption and eliminated black money, he said, “Immediately after your announcement of demonetisation, I wholeheartedly welcomed the move with a statement applauding your historic decision. Of course there are hardships and inconvenience faced by people but they endured with all sincerity for the welfare of the nation.”
