Lankan court fines Tamil Nadu fishermen: TN CM writes to Modi

Expressing deep concern over a Sri Lankan court imposing fine on eight Tamil Nadu fishermen, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the External Affairs Ministry to register India's strong protest and take steps for the release of all the 16 arrested fishermen.

In a semi-official letter to Modi, he said a Sri Lankan Court has imposed fine on fishermen, who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, while eking out their humble livelihood in the Gulf of Mannar.

He said eight fishermen from Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on August 21 along with their boat and convicted by a Sri Lankan Court under the provisions of Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act, purportedly for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters and imposed a fine of about Rs 26 lakh per head.

The Court has also ordered that if fine was not paid, they would have to serve a three month jail term.

Recalling his July 7, 2017 letter and subsequent letters written to him on the impact the amendments made to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, 1996 and Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act and its impact on Indian fishermen, especially from Tamil Nadu, Mr Palaniswami said the latest move by the Sri Lankan Government to enforce the amendments made in their Act against the Tamil Nadu Fishermen at this crucial juncture when the State Government ably supported by the Centre has taken proactive steps for transition towards a permanent solution, was nothing but a mockery of the diplomatic efforts being undertaken by the Indian Government to sort out the sensitive issue.

Stating that this has created a sense of panic in the minds of fishermen of Tamil Nadu, he urged Modi to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to register India's strong protest at the highest level in Sri Lanka and organize an effective defense in the Sri Lankan Courts to secure the release of fishermen without imposing any fine or jail term.

''I also request you to ensure that immediate action is taken to secure the release of the all 16 Indian fishermen who are languishing in Sri Lankan jails'', he added.