India expresses concern over death of Indian fisherman

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs yesterday after an Indian fisherman died and another went missing when an Indian trawler capsized during an attempt by the Sri Lankan Navy to drive it away from Sri Lankan waters early last morning.   

Navy spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya said that the incident occurred off Delft Island while the Navy was conducting an operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers.   
The Indian trawler, carrying four fishermen, capsized due to aggressive manoeuvres and rough sea conditions, he said.   

  “One fisherman is missing and the Navy is conducting a search operation to locate him. One of the rescued fishermen was admitted to the Punkuduthivu Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The other two fishermen are reported to be in stable condition, the spokesman said.   

He said the Indian authorities have been informed of the incident.   

Menawhile, the Indian government on Thursday summoned the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi to register a strong protest over the incident.   

“The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was registered over the incident. We expressed our shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will also be raising the matter with the Sri Lankan government,” said the Ministry of External Affairs in an official statement.   

Officials of the Indian consulate have been instructed to immediately rush to Kankesanthurai and extend all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families, the MEA informed. The government also asserted the need for dealing with issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner.   

“Existing understandings between the two governments in that regard must be strictly observed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence or resort to the use of force. Government attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian fishermen. Issues relating to Indian fishermen have been raised regularly at the highest levels with the Sri Lankan leadership,” read the statement.