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Q.364 Enquiry into killings of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan navy
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.364
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2011
SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has enquired the killings of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy;
(b) if so, the details of the enquiry report;
(c) whether Government has taken up the issue of killings of fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy with the Sri Lankan Government; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) to (d) The deaths of two of our fishermen in January 2011 had taken place in the waters between India and Sri Lanka. As soon as the news of the death of our fishermen in January, 2011 was received, the Government had immediately taken up the matter with the Government of Sri Lanka and expressed our deep concern at these incidents. We emphasized that resort to firing or use of force in such situation had no justification. To underline the seriousness with which Government viewed these developments, Foreign Secretary visited Sri Lanka from January 30-31, 2011. She also called on H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka. During his meeting on 7th February 2011 with Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Prof. Peiris in Thimpu, EAM took up strongly the issue of these two deaths and conveyed our deep concern on the violence against our fishermen.
A Joint Statement was issued during Foreign Secretary’s visit in January, 2011 where both sides agreed that the use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances. The Sri Lankan Government reiterated their commitment to ascertaining the facts behind the incidents. Both sides agreed that the October 2008 Understanding on Fishing Arrangements had led to a decrease in incidents and that there was need to discuss further arrangements so as to strengthen the safety and security of the fishermen. It was decided that the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fishing would be convened at an early date and contacts between the fishermen associations of both countries encouraged.