• Domestic fishers to be consulted this month  

The Fisheries authorities are planning to hold a series of talks with local and Indian stakeholders with regard to the persisting tensions surrounding Indian fishermen violating international maritime boundaries to poach in Sri Lankan waters.

According to the Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage, there are plans to hold talks with India mid-May. He told The Daily Morning that in order to prepare for these talks, this month (April), discussions will be held with North-based fishermen as well in order to understand their concerns at present. “In May, we expect to hold talks and reach an acceptable agreement,” Gamage said, stressing that if fishermen conducted their livelihood in their own territorial waters, there would be no clashes.

When questioned about the concerns raised by Indian politicians recently about reclaiming the Katchatheevu Island, which belongs to Sri Lanka, Gamage added that at present, no discussions are being held specifically regarding the Island. He however added that the recent concerns were raised not by India as a country, but by South Indian parties.

Indian media reported that South Indian politician M.K. Stalin had written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting for the retrieval of the Katchatheevu Island which was handed over to Sri Lanka in 1974 and 1976.