New Delhi, 01 August (HS): India summoned the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday morning and lodged strong protest over the incident in the case of death of one fisherman and disappearance of another in the collision between a Sri Lankan naval ship and an Indian fishing boat.

The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a statement in this regard today and said that the Government of India has always emphasized the need to deal with issues related to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner. The existing understanding between the two governments in this regard should be strictly followed. Maximum efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence or resort to the use of force. The government gives top priority to the safety of Indian fishermen. Issues related to Indian fishermen have been regularly raised with the Sri Lankan leadership at the highest level.

In this regard, officials of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna have been directed to immediately proceed to Kankesanthurai and extend all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families.

It is notable that a collision between a Sri Lankan naval ship and an Indian fishing boat was reported this morning, 5 nautical miles north of Kachchatheevu Island. Of the four Indian fishermen on board, one unfortunately lost his life and the other is missing. Two fishermen have been rescued and brought to Kankesanthurai shore. Search for the missing Indian fisherman is underway.

According to the Ministry, the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo will also take up the matter with the Sri Lankan Government today.

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar / Manoj Kumar Tayal