Sri Lanka arrests 22 Indian fishermen

The Sri Lankan navy yesterday arrested 22 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters. A navy spokesman said the Indian fishermen had been arrested in the northern seas and will be handed over to the local police. The navy said the arrest was made after the 22 Indians refused to adhere to a request that they return to Indian waters when they were spotted by navy boats. Earlier this month over 100 Indian fishermen were arrested when they entered Sri Lankan waters illegally and they were later remanded by a local court. According to the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, 213 Sri Lankan fishermen and 43 fishing vessels are being held by Indian authorities. Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka crossing the international maritime boundary line which divides both countries has become a very sensitive political issue. Sri Lankan fishermen say they face a huge financial loss when Indian fishermen use trawlers and catch fish in Sri Lankan waters, leaving very little behind. The Indians however say they fish in the open seas and are also claiming rights to the sea surrounding a disputed island in Sri Lanka’s North which was handed over to Sri Lanka by India. Efforts are under way to hold talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen next month in order to settle the dispute between fishermen from both countries. Indian media reports on Sunday said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has intervened in the issue and has sought an early solution after he was approached by Indian fishermen. Political parties in India’s southern Tamil Nadu state are also pushing Singh to address the issue and stop Indian fishermen from being arrested.