Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has welcomed remarks by the Supreme Court of India on keeping Tamil Nadu fishermen out of Sri Lankan waters.
The remarks came during a hearing of petitions seeking the recovery of Kachchativu Island from Sri Lanka. A bench led by Justice Sanjay Kumar said Tamil Nadu fishermen, particularly those fishing near Kachchativu, should be sensitised not to cross into Sri Lankan waters.
Chandrasekar said Sri Lanka has consistently raised concerns about illegal and destructive fishing by foreign vessels, which he said threatens marine resources and the livelihoods of fishermen in the Northern Province.
“Protecting Sri Lanka’s marine resources and marine environment is a primary responsibility of our government,” the Minister said.
He said the 1974 agreement on Kachchativu and the 1976 understandings on maritime boundaries and fishing rest on long-standing diplomatic understanding between the two countries. He said lasting solutions should be sought through continued dialogue and diplomatic channels.
