Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Sri Lankan Navy had recently apprehended three Indian fishermen and one of them was killed by strangulating with a rope;
(b) the details of number of Indian fishermen apprehended and killed by Sri Lankan Navy during last one year;
(c) whether Government of India has approached Government of Sri Lanka in this regard; and
(d) if so, the reaction of Sri Lanka Government in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)

(a) An incident took place on January 22-23, 2011 where one Indian fisherman Mr. Jaikumar died in the waters between India and Sri Lanka by strangulation allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy personnel.

(b) In 2010, 34 Indian fishermen were apprehended and 1 fisherman died. In 2011, so far two Indian fishermen have died and 136 fishermen apprehended.
(c) As soon as the news of the death of two of our fishermen in January, 2011 was received, the Government had immediately taken up the matter with the Government of Sri Lanka on both occasions and expressed our deep concern at both 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. 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 issue of these two deaths and conveyed our deep concern on the violence against our fishermen.

(d) 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. 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.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220117263.

Sri Lanka

South Asia