New Delhi: India on Tuesday (January 28) summoned the acting Sri Lankan high commissioner to lodge a protest against the Sri Lankan Navy’s firing on Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait injuring at least five fishermen, and asserted that the use of force was “not acceptable”.
The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that early on Tuesday morning, the Sri Lankan Navy fired on 13 Indian fishermen near Delft Island in northern Sri Lanka while attempting to apprehend them. Two fishermen sustained serious injuries, while three others suffered minor injuries, India stated. All are currently receiving treatment at Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
“The Sri Lankan Acting high commissioner in New Delhi was summoned this morning to the Ministry of External Affairs, where a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our high commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government,” the MEA stated.
The Indian government’s press release underlined the need to address fishermen-related issues with a “humane and humanitarian approach, keeping in mind livelihood concerns”. “The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two governments in this regard must be strictly observed,” the statement read.
Officials from the Indian consulate in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital, ensuring their welfare and extending all possible assistance to them and their families, it added.
The Sri Lankan Navy, in its account of the incident, claimed it was compelled to carry out a “noncompliance boarding” as the Indian fishing boat allegedly ignored lawful orders, manoeuvred aggressively and displayed “confrontational” behaviour.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy’s press release, the Indian fishermen reportedly attempted to assault naval personnel and seize a firearm from an officer, posing a threat to the safety of the naval crew. “In the process, an accidental fire occurred, causing slight injuries to two Indian fishermen,” the statement read. The Navy asserted that only two fishermen were injured, both of whom were treated before being transferred to the hospital.
The remaining Indian fishermen and their boat were taken to Kankesanthurai harbour and handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for legal proceedings.
During Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake’s visit to India in December, he raised concerns over poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, which has significantly affected the livelihoods of Northern Province fishermen. Calling the issue a “plague” for both nations, he emphasised the need for a “durable and sustainable solution.”
“There are bottom-trawling systems being used by fishermen in that area, and those need to stop because they harm the industry. We requested the honourable prime minister to take steps to end practices that are detrimental to the industry and the people,” the Sri Lankan President said.
The bilateral joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit noted that the two leaders “agreed on the need to continue to address these in a humanitarian manner.” It further highlighted the importance of “taking measures to avoid any aggressive behaviour or violence.”
During the Sri Lankan civil war, Indian fishermen increasingly crossed into the waters of the Palk Strait. However, the end of the conflict saw the revival of the fishing industry in northern Sri Lanka, with local fishermen returning to the waters. This led to frequent confrontations with their Indian counterparts, often involving intervention by the Sri Lankan Navy. Incidents of firing by the Navy, resulting in the deaths of Indian fishermen, became a politically sensitive issue in Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka has also repeatedly objected to the use of bottom trawlers by Indian fishermen, citing damage to the local marine ecosystem.
