'Issues Are Humanitarian': India Urges Sri Lanka To Investigate Attacks On Indian Fishermen

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka noted that the issues affecting fishermen's livelihoods are humanitarian.

Boat of the fishermen who were allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan pirates while fishing in the sea.

Source : File Photo/PTI

New Delhi: The recent attacks on Indian fishermen have been brought up with the authorities in Sri Lanka by the High Commission. It has also requested that the Sri Lankan government conduct an investigation and ensure that the fishermen are not subjected to any form of force or violence.

It is pertinent to note that the recent economic slowdown in the neighboring nation has resulted in an increase in the number of attacks carried out by Sri Lankan pirates over the past six months.

Thiru Murugan, Chinnathambi, Chandru, Madesh, Sivapalan, and Akash, all of Nambiar Nagar fishing village in Nagapattinam, were fishing in a fiber boat at the Indian border southeast of Kodiakkara on February 15 when several Sri Lankan pirates jumped in the victim's boat in four boats at high speed and attacked them with knives, reported news agency ANI.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka noted that the issues affecting fishermen's livelihoods are humanitarian. "High Commission has strongly taken up the recent attacks on #Indian fishermen with #SriLankan authorities. It has also asked the Goverment of #SriLanka to investigate the matter and ensure that use of force and violence in any form are not resorted to against the fishermen," said High Commission on Twitter.

High Commission has strongly taken up the recent attacks on #Indian fishermen with #SriLankan authorities. It has also asked the Goverment of #SriLanka to investigate the matter and ensure that use of force and violence in any form are not resorted to against the fishermen. (1/2)

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) February 28, 2023

In another tweet, Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted, "The issues of fishermen are humanitarian and pertain to their livelihoods. These must be addressed in that spirit through diplomatic means and bilateral mechanisms." Six fishermen belonging to Tamil Nadu were allegedly attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy. 

L Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, stated on Monday that he visited Sri Lanka last week and discussed the Indian fishermen who were attacked on February 23 by Sri Lankan Navy personnel.

The MoS stated, "All fishermen from India were brought back safely from Sri Lanka." "There is a demand to bring back our Indian fisherman's boats captured in Sri Lanka. Our MEA Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar has already raised this issue with Sri Lanka," Murugan told reporters. 

L Murugan further said, "We are in talks with Sri Lanka on it. Soon a joint-level committee with a ministerial-level meeting in April month will happen and steps will be taken to get back our Indian fishing boats from Sri Lanka." 

MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last week to ask for his help with the situation.

Addressing the letter to Jaishankar, Stalin wrote, "With a deep sense of anguish, I write this to intimate you about yet another incident of attack by the Sri Lankan Navy on six Indian fishermen on February 23. This happened within a few days after the recent attack on Tamil Nadu fishermen by some Sri Lankan nationals on February 15." 

MK Stalin emphasised the alleged attack on six Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. 

"Six fishermen belonging to Tharangambadi and Mayiladuthurai district had ventured into the sea for fishing on February 21 from the Tharangambadi fishing hamlet. But, as they were engaged in fishing in the traditional sea waters, they were brutally attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel at around 4:30 am on February 23," he stated in the letter. 

In the letter, Stalin further stated, "They have also taken away the fishing tools, engine, two batteries and GPS equipment. The five fishermen injured in the attack have been admitted to government hospital, Tharangambadi, for treatment. This attack is a blatant violation of all international norms and conventions."