Sri Lankan minister’s 17 crore penalty talk infuriates fishermen

Mechanised Boat Owners Association president S Emeritt questioned the union government’s silence over the announcement. “We wonder at the central government’s attitude, as neither has the Sri Lankan minister’s statement been condemned nor has the External Affairs Ministry expressed its displeasure to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner. Though the Indo-Lankan talks stated that arrested fishermen and boats would be released, there has been no action in this regard. This issue is not new as it has been hanging fire for the last 34 years,” he said. Tamil Nadu Kadalora Visaipadugal Meenavar Sangam state general secretary N J Bose said, “A boat does not cost more than Rs 15 lakh. So the proposed Rs 17 crore fine will totally destroy fishermen and their families. 

When Sri Lankan fishermen end up on Indian shores due to boat repair, as happened a week ago, our Navy escort them back to their nation after the vessel is repaired. But when the same happens to us, we are arrested and jailed. Under the guise of friendship, we suspect that the Indian government wants to ensure that Indian businessmen in Lanka are not harmed due to such issues. But what about us and our families?” he queried. 

Tamil Nadu Fishermen’s Federation general secretary C R Senthil said, “Not even a month has passed since the Indian and Sri Lankan government together announced the formation of a joint working group to monitor the situation in the Palk strait and to ensure that Indian fishermen were not arrested and their boats seized. But attacks continue unabated.” 

Stating that this was not good for India-Lanka relations, he also said Tamil Nadu fishermen have not been invited to the inauguration of the renovated St Antony’s church in Katchatheevu to be held on December 7, though the original church was built by Tamilians. “Even Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre that the renovation should have a contribution from Rameswaram fishermen. In such a scenario, we wonder whether the central government is really interested in fishermen’s welfare,” he said.