India's Foreign Secretary Mrs. Nirupama Rao arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (30) and held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris this morning on the Fishermen's issue.
Mrs. Rao also met Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and Secretary to the External Affairs Ministry Romesh Jayasinghe.
In a joint statement issued following the discussions, Foreign Secretary Rao has expressed the deep concern of the Government of India at the recent violent incidents in the waters between India and Sri Lanka, which had resulted in the tragic death of two Indian fishermen.
She has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to fully investigate the incidents and take all necessary steps to prevent their recurrence in future.
The Sri Lanka authorities have emphasized in this regard that it is the consistent policy of Sri Lanka to treat in a humanitarian manner all fishermen, including those from the Indian fishing community, who cross into Sri Lanka waters.
"Given the very close bilateral relationship between the two countries, any development which impacts on the wellbeing of the Indian fishing community pursuing their livelihoods in the waters between the two countries, is of the utmost concern to Sri Lanka," the joint statement said.
The Sri Lankan government has said that it is committed to ascertaining the facts behind the incidents. While continuing with their own inquiries the Sri Lankan authorities have requested for additional information from India on the alleged killings.
The two sides have noted that the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of 26th October 2008, which had put in place practical arrangements to deal with bona fide fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), had led to a decrease in incidents. They have agreed on the need to discuss arrangements based on the current situation so as to strengthen the safety and security of the fishermen.
Accordingly, both sides have decided to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fishing at an early date to address, among other things, various issues relating to fishing by the two sides.
The Joint Working Group would also address the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries, the statement said.
The two sides decided to enhance and promote contacts between the fishermen's associations on both sides, since such contacts have proved to be mutually beneficial.
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