RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.345
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2011

SHRI SHANTARAM LAXMAN NAIK: /div>

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government of India has taken up the issue of Sri Lankan Navy attacking Indian fishermen, causing their deaths;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Sri Lankan Government in each of the two cases reported in the media recently;
(c) whether the Sri Lanka Government admitted the guilt of their Navy; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) 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 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 issue of these two deaths and conveyed our deep concern on the violence against our fishermen.

(b) to (d) A Joint Statement was issued during Foreign Secretary’s visit in January, 2011 to Sri Lanka where both sides agreed that the use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances. While the Sri Lankan Government reiterated their commitment to ascertaining the facts behind the incidents, they have denied the involvement of Sri Lankan Navy in these 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=220117264