New Delhi: India has demanded Sri Lanka to release fishermen and fishing boats from the coastal country’s custody at the earliest possible, reported news agency PTI.
The issue was taken up at the Fifth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries, which was held virtually in March, according to an official statement.
From the Indian side, the delegation was led by Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, an official statement said on Sunday.
The other members of the Indian delegation included senior representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of Puducherry, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Ms R.M.I. Rathnayake, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Government of Sri Lanka.
"The Joint Working Group discussed all relevant issues in detail including the concerns relating to fishermen and fishing boats which have been on the agenda of bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka for many years," the statement said.
India is always committed to work constructively with Sri Lanka towards resolution of issues related to fishermen and their livelihoods in a humanitarian manner, highlighted Swain during the meeting.
"He also took up the issue of early release of Indian fishermen and boats currently in Sri Lankan custody," the statement said.
Cooperation between the Navy and Coast Guard of both countries in patrolling as well as existing hotlines between the coast guards was also discussed by both the delegations.
"The meeting concluded on a positive note, with commitment towards continued cooperation and dialogue to solve the fishermen related issues and to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group as per schedule," the statement said.