Rahul Gandhi urges Centre to raise fishermen arrests with Sri Lankan President

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has urged the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up the issue of the arrest of “Indian fisherfolk” by Sri Lankan authorities during the visit of the island nation’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India to secure their early release.

So far in 2024, as many as 537 Indian fishermen have been arrested for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

“I request the Indian government to kindly take up the persistent issue of the arrest of Indian fisherfolk who accidentally cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), and secure their early release,” the letter by Raebareilly MP said in his letter.

Rahul Gandhi further requested the External Affairs Minister to request the Sri Lankan government to “waive off” fines imposed on the “fisherfolk” and to secure the release of their boots.

“The Indian government may request for the waiver of fines imposed on fisherfolk and secure the release of impounded fishing vessels. I would also like to request the Indian government to ensure that Inter-governmental mechanisms like the Joint Working Group meet regularly to resolve pending issues,” the letter by Rahul Gandhi read.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka is in India on his first foreign trip after becoming president in September. He held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing issues such as defence, trade and investment.

INDIAN FISHERMEN IN SRI LANKAN CUSTODY

The fishermen’s issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.

Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other’s waters.

According to a statement by the Sri Lankan Navy, as many as 537 Indian fishermen have been arrested so far in 2024 and their boats have also been seized by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2024. In 2023, the island nation’s Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.