India summons Sri Lanka envoy to protest over death of fisherman

By Easwaran Rutnam

India summoned Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi to the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Thursday, to register a strong protest over the death of an Indian fisherman in an incident involving the Sri Lanka Navy.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said that a collision was reported early Thursday morning between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island.

“Out of the four Indian fishermen who were on board the vessel, one unfortunately lost his life and another is missing. Two of the fishermen have been rescued and brought ashore to Kankesanthurai. A search is ongoing for the missing Indian fisherman. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have been instructed to immediately rush to Kankesanthurai and extend all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families,” the Indian External Affairs Ministry said.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry said that India expressed shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life.

“Our High Commissioner in Colombo will also be raising the matter with the Sri Lankan government. The Government of India has always emphasized the need to deal with issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner. Existing understandings between the two Governments in that regard must be strictly observed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence or resort to the use of force,” the Indian External Affairs Ministry said.

India says it attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian fishermen, adding that issues relating to Indian fishermen have been raised regularly at the highest levels with the Sri Lankan leadership. (Colombo Gazette)