India on Wednesday called on Sri Lanka to ensure the early release of fishermen arrested recently on the charge of poaching in Sri Lankan waters. According to a statement by Ministry of Fisheries, the Indian side also reiterated the need for releasing all fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody in line with the commitment given by Sri Lankan President during his state visit to India in November 2019. This issue came at the fourth meeting of the joint working group on fisheries through virtual mode, during which the entire gamut of issues related to fishermen and fishing boats was discussed. Referring to the recent apprehension of 40 fishermen and 6 boats by Sri Lanka Navy, the leader of the Indian delegation called on the Sri Lankan side to ensure their early release and till such time, to provide necessary facilitation including consular access and necessary assistance, the release said.
New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI): India on Wednesday called on Sri Lanka to ensure the early release of fishermen arrested recently on the charge of poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 09:18 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka. Dec 30, Colombo: The 4th Meeting of the Sri Lanka- India Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries was held through virtual mode on 30 December 2020.
The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Mrs. R. M. I. Rathnayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries, was consisted of senior officials of the Ministry of Fisheries, Foreign Ministry, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Attorney General’s Department, Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard.
The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, who was associated by the representatives from Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, State Government of Tamil Nadu, State Government of Puducherry, Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.