India says Lanka must decide on ferry service

India is prepared to resume the operation of a ferry service between Colombo and Tuticorin and it was up to the Sri Lankan Government to take a final decision in this connection,?Indian Minister of State for Shipping and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan said.

Radhakrishnan?also?said that even as the Centre is taking all out efforts to find a permanent solution for the fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy while crossing the border, the Tamil Nadu fishermen should carryout their fishing operations in a restrained fashion, The Hindu newspaper reported.

Radhakrishnan said the Narendra Modi-led Central Government, which had so far ensured the release of over 1,000 Tamil fishermen after coming to power, was taking every possible step to permanently stop the arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on crossing the maritime boundary line by holding direct talks with the Prime Minister and the President of the island nation.

Moreover, steps were being taken to conduct talks between the fishermen of the two nations. Until a permanent solution was evolved, the Tamil fishermen should carryout their fishing operations in a restrained fashion, he appealed.