Q.1593 Fisherman in jails of Sri Lanka

Will the Minister EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Indian fishermen that were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last one year;
(b) whether these fishermen have been released by the Sri Lankan Government;
(c) the reasons for execution of two Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy in January 2011; and
(d) whether the issue has been taken up by Government with the Sri Lanka Government?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) & (b) In 2010, 34 Indian fishermen were apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy and subsequently released. In 2011, in two separate incidents both in February, 136 Indian fishermen were apprehended by Sri Lanka and subsequently released. As of now there are no verified Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan jails.

(c) & (d) On 12th January, 2011, an Indian fishing trawler is reported to have been fired at allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy resulting in an Indian fisherman Mr. Veerapandian being killed. The Indian trawler was on the Sri Lankan side of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMB L). A second incident took place on 22-23 January, 2011 where one Indian fisherman Mr. Jayakumar died in the waters between India and Sri Lanka allegedly by strangulation by Sri Lankan Navy personnel. The Sri Lankan Government have denied any involvement of their Navy in either of these incidents.
As soon as the news of the death of our fishermen in January, 2011 was received, Government had immediately taken up the matter with the Government of Sri Lanka both in New Delhi and Colombo and expressed our deep concern at these incidents. We emphasized that resort to firing or use of force in such situation had no justification whatsoever. To underline the seriousness with which Government viewed these developments, Foreign Secretary visited Sri Lanka from January 30-31, 2011 to convey Government of India’s strong concern over the killing of our fishermen. 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 Thimphu, EAM took up the issue of these two deaths strongly and conveyed our deep concern on the violence against our fishermen.

During the visit of Foreign Secretary to Sri Lanka in January, 2011 a Joint Statement was issued 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.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220117404.