By Lahiru Pothmulla
The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry yesterday said it had no plans to auction boats and trawlers apprehended from Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
The Indian media earlier reported quoting Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) Leader Ramadoss that the Sri Lankan government was planning to auction the boats seized from Indian fishermen.
Fisheries Ministry Secretary Dr. D.M.R.B.Dissanayaka said there were no plans so far to auction apprehended Indian boats. “This news is also new to me. We have not made any arrangements to auction boats at the moment. We have to obtain a court order if we are to auction them, which we haven’t sought so far,” he said. He said there were also Sri Lankan boats in Indian custody and that the fate of those boats would be decided at the next meeting held with fisher folk of both countries.