Rajapaksa sets free 78 fishermen
Colombo: President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday ordered the release of 78 Indian fishermen held by the navy for allegedly poaching into Sri Lankan waters as a goodwill gesture to mark the joint session of the Indian Parliament.
The decision came a day after chief minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Modi seeking a “permanent solution” to the thorny issue.
“On the occasion of the 1st joint sitting of Indian Parliament, I have instructed officials to release the 78 Indian fishermen in SL custody,” Rajapaksa tweeted and said in another tweet: “I look forward to the release of all remaining #SriLankan fishermen in #Indian custody at the earliest.”
In her letter on Sunday, Jayalalithaa cited the most recent arrest of 82 fishermen by Lankan navy in two separate incidents. “As an immediate measure, I request you to kindly ensure that India registers the strongest disapproval of the belligerent actions of the Lankan navy,” she told the PM, adding that a permanent solution to the problem “must be found by a decisive initiative under your leadership.”
Rajapaksa had previously ordered the release of fishermen in late March when India abstained at the UNHRC vote on Sri Lanka.
(Source: Deccan Chronicle)
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How long this Good Will gestures goes on…may till all our fish stocks wiped out.
MR might told by Modii not let him to come in between this fishing issues.
As he might be not prepared for tackling TN currently.
So lets provide free 6months fishing licence to them.
By this mostly north fishermen are getting affected, they are might be relatives of TN fishermen too.