Sri Lanka Summons Indian Diplomat Over Death of Naval Sailor
30.06.2024: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recently summoned an official from the Indian High Commission in Colombo, expressing serious concerns over the death of a Sri Lankan naval sailor. This tragic incident occurred during a patrol operation that intercepted an Indian fishing vessel.
Formal Diplomatic Action: A senior Foreign Ministry official handed an official note to the Indian diplomat, highlighting the ongoing issue of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. The note particularly criticized the destructive bottom-trawling method and the continuous poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, as reported by the Colombo-based Sunday Times.
Concerns Raised in Delhi: The issue was also addressed in New Delhi when Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Kshenuka Senewiratne, met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on June 25. However, neither party publicly mentioned discussing the sailor’s death during their social media updates following the meeting.
Details of the Incident: In the early hours of June 25, a Sri Lankan Navy sailor was killed during an operation against Indian fishermen and their vessel off Kankesanthurai in the Jaffna peninsula. According to the Sri Lankan Navy, the incident was caused by “aggressive maneuvers” from the Indian trawler that resisted apprehension.
Arrests and Confiscation: Ten Indian fishermen, including seven from Nagapattinam, one from Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, and two from Andhra Pradesh, were arrested on charges of illegal fishing. Their fishing trawler was also confiscated by Sri Lankan authorities.
Long-Standing Fisheries Conflict: This development has once again highlighted the enduring fisheries conflict in the Palk Strait. Despite ongoing demands from Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen to halt the destructive bottom-trawling method used by Indian fishermen, the practice continues unabated, severely affecting the livelihoods of local fishermen.
Calls for Resolution: Northern Sri Lankan fishermen have consistently blamed both Sri Lankan and Indian governments for failing to find a sustainable solution to this issue. They have urged the resumption of talks between fishermen’s organizations from both countries.
Need for Bilateral Cooperation: Annalingam Annarasa, leader of a Jaffna-based fisheries cooperative society, emphasized the responsibility of both governments to implement the 2016 agreement reached in Delhi to end bottom-trawling. He criticized efforts to politicize the issue instead of working towards a practical solution.
The incident underscores the urgent need for renewed bilateral efforts to address the long-standing fisheries conflict between India and Sri Lanka. With both nations’ fishermen facing significant challenges, it is crucial for the governments to prioritize sustainable practices and cooperation to protect livelihoods and maintain peaceful maritime relations.