Arrest of fishermen by Sri Lankan navy: Tamil Nadu and Puducherry CMs seek external affairs minister’s intervention

MADURAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin and Puducherry chief minister N Rangasamy have written to external affairs minister S Jaishankar requesting him to take diplomatic measures to secure the release of fishermen and their crafts detained by the Sri Lankan navy.

The Sri Lankan navy detained six fishing crafts and 46 fishermen, including eight fishermen from Karaikal in the Union territory of Puducherry.

Stalin said the Sri Lankan navy detained a fishing boat from Nagapattinam and another boat from Karaikal on December 9. There were 25 fishermen onboard these vessels, including eight from Karaikal. Other fishermen hailed from Nagapattinam and Mayiladurai districts of Tamil Nadu.

On the same day, a fishing boat from Rameswaram that sailed for fishing was damaged after a Sri Lankan patrol vessel allegedly rammed the boat off the Katchatheevu islet. The Sri Lankan navy detained four boats and 21 fishermen from Ramanathpauram and Pudukottai districts on December 6.

Such repeated attacks on fishermen affect the lives of fishermen, CM stated. “I would like to highlight that the attacks on fishermen have been on the rise of late and have caused serious repercussions on the lives and safety of our fishermen. Therefore, I request you to direct the Indian mission in Sri Lanka to initiate urgent measures to repatriate the apprehended fishermen and their boats,” Stalin wrote his letter.

In his letter to Jaishankar, the Puducherry CM requested the Union minister to take necessary steps with the Sri Lankan government for the release of the fishermen and secure the boat seized by the Sri Lankan navy.