AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the long-standing issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen during his ongoing visit to Sri Lanka. He called for a solution that would be acceptable to both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu’s fishing community.
Speaking to the media, Sathyan said the Sri Lankan government had no "moral authority" to confiscate the assets of Tamil Nadu fishermen, particularly their fishing boats and nets, and auction them. He emphasised that this issue must be resolved through diplomatic efforts to safeguard the interests of the fishermen.
"The biggest concern is finding a solution that works for both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu fishermen," Sathyan said. "Sri Lanka has no moral authority to confiscate their assets and auction them off. PM Modi should intervene and put an end to this."
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Sathyan also highlighted the need for diplomatic action to ensure the release of detained fishermen. He stated that if fishermen are arrested, there are channels through which both governments can work together to secure their release. His remarks came amid growing concerns over the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities, as well as the seizure of their boats and other fishing equipment. These actions have severely impacted the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s fishing community.
Earlier, in March, ahead of Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, India raised the issue of the ongoing maritime dispute between the two nations, particularly the plight of Indian fishermen. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the fishermen’s issue would be discussed in the talks between Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Misri expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would raise the issue of fishermen’s welfare during his meeting.
The fishermen’s issue has been a persistent problem between the two countries, with Sri Lankan authorities regularly arresting Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the international maritime boundary line. Misri mentioned that India has been in close contact with Sri Lankan authorities and that a joint working group on fisheries has been set up to address the issue.
In a related discussion in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar explained that the current problem began in 1974 when the international maritime boundary line was drawn. He noted that the legal framework in Sri Lanka, including two key acts, has made the issue more complex. Despite these challenges, Jaishankar assured that efforts were ongoing to find a resolution.
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