• SL is in constant dialogue with Indian authorities to put an end to the unending plundering of fishery resources of the northern seas
• Plundering of northern Sri Lanka’s fishery resources by south Indian fishermen is estimated at Rs. 5.3 billion annually
• In addition millions of rupees of damage is caused to fishing nets of Sri Lanka’s fishermen from bottom trawling

By Sandun A Jayasekera

One of the main contributory factors for the escalation of perennial disputes between South Indian and Northern Sri Lanka fishermen was that there was no legally demarcated International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between the two countries, Government spokesman, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said. 

Minister Pathirana told the media that he was of the view that fishermen and navies of both countries do not have a clear idea on the IMBL that separates the two countries in the Indian Ocean and act guided by postulated boundary lines.

“Sri Lanka is in constant dialogue with Indian authorities to put an end to the unending plundering of fishery resources of the northern seas of Sri Lanka by southern Indian fishermen and mainly on the highly destructive ‘bottom trawling’. Nevertheless, we must find a lasting solution to the problem through diplomatic dialogue,” he said.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has been instructed to continue to be in touch on the issue with New Delhi’. However, if there was a clearly demarcated boundary line, the prevention of trespassing into Sri Lanka’s waters by South Indian fishermen to plunder our fishery resources would be easier, Minister Pathirana said.
It will also put an end to the arrest of fishermen of both countries by respective navies for violating each other’s boundaries and thereby bilateral fishing disputes, he noted.

The unabated criminal trespassing and plundering of northern Sri Lanka’s fishery resources by south Indian fishermen is estimated at Rs. 5.3 billion annually.

This is in addition to millions of rupees of damage caused to fishing nets of Sri Lanka’s fishermen from bottom trawling by their so-called saviours of South India.