The BJP has advocated the formulation of a new Maritime Indo-Lankan policy to deal with the fishermen issue.  The saffron party has also advised the Sri Lanka government that it should be sensitive, flexible while dealing with the problem.

BJP general secretary Murlidhar Rao, who recently visited Sri Lanka to participate in a meeting of Asian political parties in Colombo, said on Friday, “Resolving the issue related to fishermen of Tamil Nadu origin will eventually create a reservoir of goodwill in India for the Sri Lanka government.”

The BJP leaders, who also interacted with leaders of the Tamil ethnic community in Sri Lanka, observed that the resolution for the Tamil problem was only through devolution. “Finishing of terrorism should not be taken as finishing of the whole issue,” he said.

Muralidhar Rao during his meeting with Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed the need for dialogue with Tamil National Alliance and other representatives of the Tamil community. “The permanent settlement of the pending Tamil issues within the frame work of Sri Lanka Constitution is imminent for restoring peace in Sri Lanka as well the progress of the region. Measures should also be taken for the socio-economic upliftment of the upcountry Tamilians in Sri Lanka facing economic hardships, like addressing the housing issue,” Rao said while detailing his meeting with the Lankan President.

The BJP also favoured starting a Hindu-Buddhist religious circuit connecting various sites in India and Sri Lanka, which will help people to people interaction and enhance trust between both the nations.

The BJP leader claimed that ever since the new government came to power, there was “no shoot-at-sight or targeting” of fishermen and they were not kept in custody for long. Also, 94 fishermen have been released by Sri Lanka. (TNIE)