AIADMK MPs led by deputy speaker M. Thambidurai on Monday met Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj seeking a permanent solution to the problems faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen along the Katchatheevu Island located between India and Sri Lanka.

The 49-member delegation comprising MPs from Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha handed over a memorandum written by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on various issues faced by the TN fishermen.

AIADMK leader Thambidurai also sought a special package of Indian Rs 1,520 crore for enhancing deep fishing facilities in Tamil Nadu. After the meeting Thambidurai told reporters that the external affairs minister had assured diplomatic action. “The minister assured that the matter will be taken up with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the earliest,” he said.

“Already our party supremo Jayalalithaa has handed over a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit in August seeking retrieval of Katchatheevu and central funds for comprehensive special package for diversification of fisheries and provision of drinking water through desalination projects for coastal fishing villages”, said an AIADMK Lok Sabha MP. The meeting that lasted for about half an hour was positive and the minister was briefed about the recent arrests of TN fishermen by Lankan navy, the MP added.

(Deccan Chronicle)