Over 100 fishermen from Tamil Nadu are to meet External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj to give a petition demanding uninterrupted fishing rights in the Sri Lankan waters, Indian local media reported on Tuesday (21).

 

The fishermen representing areas including Rameswaram, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, will participate in the meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi on April 27.

 

Accoring to the media Indian fishermen demanded that Sri Lankan fishermen should stay away from the sea on days they go fishing there.

 

Sri Lankan Navy periodically arrests Indian fishermen on charges of engaging in illegal fishing methods. Tamil Nadu fishermen, however, argue that they fish in Sri Lankan waters as part of their “traditional rights”.

 

In the recent round of talks between fishermen from both the countries, held in Chennai in March, the Indian fishermen said they could reduce the number of their fishing days from 90 to 83, even as they “attempt to phase out trawling”. 

 

However Sri Lankan delegation said it would respond after holding consultations with members of the fishing community.

 

(With inputs from The Hindu)