SUNIL JAYASIRI 
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‘SL compelled to adopt ‘deterrent mechanism’ against Indian fishermen’
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Sri Lanka today informed the Indian Government that it was compelled to put in place an effective ‘deterrent mechanism’ which involves the arrest Indian fishermen, producing them in court and charging a fine, as Indian fishermen continue to cross over to Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.
This was informed by visiting Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris when he called on the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh this morning in New Delhi.
Issuing a statement the external affairs ministry said, “The Minister expressed the necessity to find a practical solution to the issue and explained that 400-500 Indian fishing boats consisting of approximately 1500 Indian fishermen continue to cross over to Sri Lanka territorial waters during the fishing season on a daily basis with no reduction in numbers.”
He also said that the matter is aggravated by the fishing methods used by the Indian fishermen such as use of multi-day fishing boats and nylon nets and bottom trawling which cause damage to the sea bed and marine eco system. Moreover, the Indian fishermen no longer confine themselves to the Palk Bay area but venture close to the eastern seaboard, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Point Pedro. Sri Lanka is therefore compelled to put in place an effective deterrent as the Government of Sri Lanka has a responsibility to protect the livelihoods of the fishermen in the North of Sri Lanka.
The Minister handed over to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a letter of invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to attend the Commonwealth Summit and the Minister said that the Government of Sri Lanka looks forward to Prime Minister Singh’s participation, it added.
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