Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government of India is aware that Indian fishermen are being killed in Indo-Sri Lankan waters by our neighbour Sri Lanka and if so, the steps taken by Government in this regard;
(b) the number of fishermen killed during the last six months and whether any financial assistance has been provided to these fishermen’s families; and
(c) whether Government of India would ever complete the task of demarcation of Indo-Sri Lankan waters?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) Two Indian fishermen died in January, 2011 in the waters between India and Sri Lanka allegedly killed 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, the Government had immediately taken up the matter with the Government of Sri Lanka and we had expressed our deep concern at these incidents. We emphasized that resort to firing or use of force in such situation had no justification. 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 Thimpu, EAM took up strongly the issues of these two deaths and conveyed our deep concern on the violence against our fishermen.

A Joint Statement was issued during Foreign Secretary’s visit in January, 2011 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, though they have denied the involvement of Sri Lankan Navy in these incidents of deaths. 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.

(b) In the last six months, two Indian fishermen both in January, 2011 have died. Government of Tamil Nadu has announced ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the families of these deceased fishermen.

(c) The ‘Agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Boundary in Historic Waters between the two countries and Related Matters’ of 1974 & ‘Agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Maritime Boundary between the two countries in the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal and Related Matters’ of 1976 have already determined the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between two countries.
A Joint Statement was issued during Foreign Secretary’s visit in January, 2011 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, though they have denied the involvement of Sri Lankan Navy in these incidents of deaths. 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.

(b) In the last six months, two Indian fishermen both in January, 2011 have died. Government of Tamil Nadu has announced ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the families of these deceased fishermen.

(c) The ‘Agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Boundary in Historic Waters between the two countries and Related Matters’ of 1974 & ‘Agreement between India and Sri Lanka on the Maritime Boundary between the two countries in the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal and Related Matters’ of 1976 have already determined the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between two countries.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220117254.

Miscellaneous

South Asia