Sri Lanka May Confiscate Indian Fishing Trawlers

HeinzGud

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Sri Lanka May Confiscate Indian Fishing Trawlers Poaching in Lankan Waters to Penalise Business Magnates Instead of Tamil Nadu Fishermen

Sri Lanka May Confiscate Indian Fishing Trawlers Poaching in Lankan Waters to Penalise Business Magnates Instead of Tamil Nadu Fishermen « dbsjeyaraj.com

The Sri Lankan government is considering confiscating Indian trawlers if they trespass into their waters, Sri Lanka's Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Rajitha Senaratne said here on Thursday.

"We recognise the fact that this is a livelihood issue for the Indian fishermen. We will release them immediately. It is the owners of the trawlers who need to be dealt with – those business magnates. We have decided not to return the trawlers we confiscate. At least, that should act as a deterrent," he said.

Observing that the incidence of Indian fishermen allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) had become a major issue in Indo-Lanka relations, he said that while India [Centre] understood the seriousness of the problem, Tamil Nadu complicated the matter.

The Fisheries Minister's remarks come soon after Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris visited India. During the visit, Mr. Peiris ruled out the early repatriation of over 100 fishermen – currently in Sri Lankan prisons, and had said that the Sri Lankan government would undergo the entire judicial process.

However, Mr. Senaratne on Thursday said that though a large number of Indian fishermen were found trespassing, the government now decided not be too harsh on them.

"They are not to blame. That is why we are considering confiscation of trawlers," he said, addressing a press conference here.

Tamil Nadu unfailingly makes a lot of noise every time fishermen from the State are arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Ironically, the real victims of the problem are largely Tamil fishermen in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Antonypillai Emileyampillai, president of a collective that represents fishermen of Jaffna, said: "Indians don't know what we go through. Their trawlers damage our nets and our fishermen end up borrowing heavily to repair the nets. Trespassing is just not acceptable and the fishermen of Jaffna have a strong position on that."

COURTESY:THE HINDU
My comment : So much for the Tamilnadu Tamils concern over Sri Lankan Tamils. They do not even let their war stricken brethren to make a livelihood but think of hanging Rajapaksha for war crimes. The hypocrites.
 

Aryavarta Bharata

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These Tamil nationalists in TN are nothing but an anti-national group of thugs funded by their missionary masters. Honestly I wish we could have sent some of these crazy politicians to Lanka to meet their makers.
 

amoy

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Only by relentlessly prohibiting illegal poaching will SL be able to benefit from their own resources

Currently Sri Lanka earns around 250 million U.S. dollars annually from fish exports, out of which 48 percent are earnings from tuna.

Europe usually purchases around 38 percent of Sri Lanka's fish exports but this amount has fallen to 33 percent last year with Japan and the U.S. increasing its stake to 47 percent and 17 percent respectively.

Senaratne remarked that agreements have been finalised with two companies from China and Japan to increase deep sea fishing, which has seen slow growth due to lack of equipment.

"Two deep sea fishing boats from Sri Lanka are expected in Sri Lanka within the next two weeks. Eventually we hope the number will increase to around 20 and we are having discussions with other Chinese companies to enter the market as well."
Sri Lanka hopes to double fish exports with foreign investment - China.org.cn
 

W.G.Ewald

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Hos will that work? Surely fisherman will resist.
 

HeinzGud

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A public interest litigation petition (PIL) was filed in the Madras High Court Bench in Madurai on Friday seeking a direction to the Centre as well as State Government to extradite the accused in a case registered in connection with the death of Rameswaram fisherman K.Britjo (21) who was allegedly shot dead by the Sri Lankan Navy on the high seas on March 6. The case, filed by D. Raju of Naam Tamilar Katchi, has been listed for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices A. Selvam and N. Authinathan on Monday. Claiming that around 600 Indian fishermen had been killed so far on the high seas allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy, the petitioner said that none of the accused in those cases was ever brought to book and made to face trial. Striking a comparison with the prosecution launched against Italian marines who reportedly shot dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012, the petitioner said that the Centre had adopted a soft approach against Sri Lankan Navy personnel alone despite there being an extradition treaty between the two countries for surrendering criminals to each other for prosecution. The petitioner also accused the Centre of not providing proper protection to the Indian fishermen despite a specific direction issued by the High Court Bench in 2011 to deploy adequate number of Coast Guard vessels to monitor the movement of vessels across the International Maritime Boundary Line besides maintaining air surveillance over the area. “By taking advantage of the fact that there was no proper protection... the Sri Lankan Navy personnel are attacking the Tamil fishermen, snatching away their boats, damaging them and even killing the innocent fishermen... Incidents of the fishermen being shot dead by the Sri Lankan Navy are continuing to happen in quick succession,” he said and accused the governments of inaction.

Source: The Hindu - See more at: http://www.adaderana.lk/news/39678/...e-accused-from-sri-lanka#sthash.REhOOHwZ.dpuf

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/39678/pil-to-extradite-fisherman-murder-case-accused-from-sri-lankahttp://www.adaderana.lk/news/39678/pil-to-extradite-fisherman-murder-case-accused-from-sri-lanka
 

HeinzGud

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has expressed concern over a Sri Lankan fisheries bill that could prevent Indian fishermen from exercising their traditional fishing rights in the Palk Bay.

The new bill seeks to confiscate fishing boats, two-year imprisonment for Indian fishermen and fine up to Rs 20,000 for fishermen entering its territorial waters.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Palaniswami urged the Centre to lodge its “strong protest” with Colombo against the legislation and to ensure that necessary provisions are made in the new legislation to exempt the traditional waters of Palk Bay from its purview.

Sri Lanka, on Thursday, imposed the ban on bottom trawling, a destructive method of fishing, in its territorial waters and those violating the ban would be fined Rs 20,000 and two-year imprisonment. The new legislation would directly affect Tamil Nadu fishermen, some of whom engaged in bottom-trawling and also those who drift into Sri Lankan waters.

Pointing out that Palk Bay is the historic and traditional fishing areas of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, he said that the new legislation would stop the fishermen from exercising their centuries-old traditional fishing rights and will deny their fundamental rights conferred by the Constitution of India.

“The move by Sri Lankan Government to introduce the bill at this crucial juncture of transition towards a permanent solution is nothing but a harsh step to undermine the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the Government of India to sort out the sensitive issue,” Palaniswami said.

“A livelihood issue of this nature is better resolved through promotional and developmental measures to introduce alternative modes and technologies, and not through such abrupt bans and punitive measures.”

Source: DNA

-Agencies

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/41796/tamil-nadu-cm-concerned-over-sri-lankas-new-fishing-bill
 

Tshering22

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the southern part of India is perhaps the most solvable border issue. But for that the state government has to take the initiative.

Here, the state government can look at:

1- Equipping all fishing boats with radios and GPS devices so that they can be tracked.

2- Line the maritime border with a long chain of floating buoys, highlighting where not to trespass. It may be expensive but it will stabilise our relationship with Sri Lanka and also save lives which are lost due to misunderstanding.

3- Educate fishermen of new fishing technologies in a sustainable fashion by promoting local fish farms in our own territorial waters. This can be done through arranging training and orientation sessions for the fishermen who would be more than happy to leave SL waters alone if they can find a sustainable means to earn a living within our waters.

4- Keep the dravida extremists in the southern states at bay from politicising any sort of issues that arise these days. Also, it will be clear as to who is causing problem; then appropriate action can be taken

5- Isolate smuggler operations and therefore enable coast guard to catch them - maybe even through joint operations between us and SL Navy.

This all means a lot of expense, but TN is a rich state and with Centre's support, this is achievable if there is genuine intent to resolve issues.

Sri Lanka is an independent country and therefore it is their right to pass whatever bill they want, as long as they are not unilaterally violating any treaty with India.

Mr. Palaniswami must approach the PM to set up a master plan and implement this
 

ezsasa

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the southern part of India is perhaps the most solvable border issue. But for that the state government has to take the initiative.

Here, the state government can look at:

1- Equipping all fishing boats with radios and GPS devices so that they can be tracked.

2- Line the maritime border with a long chain of floating buoys, highlighting where not to trespass. It may be expensive but it will stabilise our relationship with Sri Lanka and also save lives which are lost due to misunderstanding.

3- Educate fishermen of new fishing technologies in a sustainable fashion by promoting local fish farms in our own territorial waters. This can be done through arranging training and orientation sessions for the fishermen who would be more than happy to leave SL waters alone if they can find a sustainable means to earn a living within our waters.

4- Keep the dravida extremists in the southern states at bay from politicising any sort of issues that arise these days. Also, it will be clear as to who is causing problem; then appropriate action can be taken

5- Isolate smuggler operations and therefore enable coast guard to catch them - maybe even through joint operations between us and SL Navy.

This all means a lot of expense, but TN is a rich state and with Centre's support, this is achievable if there is genuine intent to resolve issues.

Sri Lanka is an independent country and therefore it is their right to pass whatever bill they want, as long as they are not unilaterally violating any treaty with India.

Mr. Palaniswami must approach the PM to set up a master plan and implement this
Almost all your points are being implemented to a certain degree.
Issue is with Tamil Fishermen themselves, they won't listen to anyone.

i'd say solution to this problem is not political, rather scientific. New scientific methods needs to be researched and implemented for fishing within our water without loosing out on livelihoods of tamilnadu fishermen. Probably like offshore fish farming.

upload_2017-7-15_23-47-49.png
 

HeinzGud

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the southern part of India is perhaps the most solvable border issue. But for that the state government has to take the initiative.

Here, the state government can look at:

1- Equipping all fishing boats with radios and GPS devices so that they can be tracked.

2- Line the maritime border with a long chain of floating buoys, highlighting where not to trespass. It may be expensive but it will stabilise our relationship with Sri Lanka and also save lives which are lost due to misunderstanding.

3- Educate fishermen of new fishing technologies in a sustainable fashion by promoting local fish farms in our own territorial waters. This can be done through arranging training and orientation sessions for the fishermen who would be more than happy to leave SL waters alone if they can find a sustainable means to earn a living within our waters.

4- Keep the dravida extremists in the southern states at bay from politicising any sort of issues that arise these days. Also, it will be clear as to who is causing problem; then appropriate action can be taken

5- Isolate smuggler operations and therefore enable coast guard to catch them - maybe even through joint operations between us and SL Navy.

This all means a lot of expense, but TN is a rich state and with Centre's support, this is achievable if there is genuine intent to resolve issues.

Sri Lanka is an independent country and therefore it is their right to pass whatever bill they want, as long as they are not unilaterally violating any treaty with India.

Mr. Palaniswami must approach the PM to set up a master plan and implement this
This issue is simply not about Tamilnadu fishermen drifting pass the IMBL between both countries. There are organized gangs of fishermen who purposefully violate the IMBL by entering into the Sri Lankan side en mass for the richer harvest. It's a direct invasion. It's not even localized to the Palk strait. Tamilnadu fishermen are invading Sri Lankan territorial waters all along the Northern and Eastern seaboards.

I don't think that any legislation or initiative by both countries could quench the greedy thirst of these business people. The best solution is to impound the boats. This is the only solution that can struck some pain directly to the businessmen who send poor fishermen out to sea for the better catch.
 

ezsasa

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This issue is simply not about Tamilnadu fishermen drifting pass the IMBL between both countries. There are organized gangs of fishermen who purposefully violate the IMBL by entering into the Sri Lankan side en mass for the richer harvest. It's a direct invasion. It's not even localized to the Palk strait. Tamilnadu fishermen are invading Sri Lankan territorial waters all along the Northern and Eastern seaboards.

I don't think that any legislation or initiative by both countries could quench the greedy thirst of these business people. The best solution is to impound the boats. This is the only solution that can struck some pain directly to the businessmen who send poor fishermen out to sea for the better catch.
Any idea if srilankan navy collects religion of these fisherman when they are captured?

Asking so because during the last year there were some sting operations by Indian news channels, which showed that Tamilnadu fishermen community and villages has been highly influenced by the church. Sting ops were for nuclear plant protests.

Like you said, if they are not listening to politicians they must be listening to somebody else. Maybe they are listening to the church.

Names alone won't help in identification, name might sound Tamil but religion may not be Indic. That pretty common now a days in India.
 

Tshering22

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This issue is simply not about Tamilnadu fishermen drifting pass the IMBL between both countries. There are organized gangs of fishermen who purposefully violate the IMBL by entering into the Sri Lankan side en mass for the richer harvest. It's a direct invasion. It's not even localized to the Palk strait. Tamilnadu fishermen are invading Sri Lankan territorial waters all along the Northern and Eastern seaboards.

I don't think that any legislation or initiative by both countries could quench the greedy thirst of these business people. The best solution is to impound the boats. This is the only solution that can struck some pain directly to the businessmen who send poor fishermen out to sea for the better catch.
What I said is about a possible solution whereby our fishermen can earn good money within Indian waters and you also don't have to deal with this.
 

HeinzGud

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What I said is about a possible solution whereby our fishermen can earn good money within Indian waters and you also don't have to deal with this.
It all boils down to the catch. The lucrative Sri Lankan fishing grounds are teeming with fish which have been left unmolested for more than 30 years specially in the Mannar bay.
 

square

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fishing ??
when did he going to put money to create better jobs for tamil people ?
 

not so dravidian

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Regarding the Pakistani attack on the fishing vessel, rules forbid this kind of action outside of Pakistani waters. Assuming that this fishing vessel incontraverrtibly was in international waters or Indian waters, the Pakistani action could be construed an act of war, couldn't it?

What stops India now telling Pakistan that there is an exclusion zone for armed Pakistani vessels of x miles around all Indian vessels and any armed Pakistani vessel entering the exclusion zone will be seen as a threat and subject to attack? I would see that as a measured response. Killing all Pakistanis and hanging them from lamp posts I do not see as a measured response.
This what's exactly happening to TN fishermen.
 

Spitfire9

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Sri Lankan Navy
Outside of Sri Lankan waters that is a no no. Is it to do with TN fishermen being Tamil or Chinese pressure?

Again, I think it would be an idea for India to warn Sri Lanka that their armed vessels will become targets if they get too close to Indian fishing vessels in international waters.

Of course, if Indian vessels are fishing in Sri Lankan waters that is a different matter.

Is there agreement on where Indian and Sri Lankan waters end for the purposes of fishing?
 

not so dravidian

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Outside of Sri Lankan waters that is a no no. Is it to do with TN fishermen being Tamil or Chinese pressure?

Again, I think it would be an idea for India to warn Sri Lanka that their armed vessels will become targets if they get too close to Indian fishing vessels in international waters.

Of course, if Indian vessels are fishing in Sri Lankan waters that is a different matter.

Is there agreement on where Indian and Sri Lankan waters end for the purposes of fishing?
No offense, it feels astounding to know that u haven't heard about it tamil-sinhese war.

Google tamil elam war
 

Covfefe

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Outside of Sri Lankan waters that is a no no. Is it to do with TN fishermen being Tamil or Chinese pressure?

Again, I think it would be an idea for India to warn Sri Lanka that their armed vessels will become targets if they get too close to Indian fishing vessels in international waters.

Of course, if Indian vessels are fishing in Sri Lankan waters that is a different matter.

Is there agreement on where Indian and Sri Lankan waters end for the purposes of fishing?
Predates Chinese influence.
A small island between the two mainland is disputed, the usual action happens in its economic exclusive zone. Also, the case of deep sea fishing by Indian fishermen leaving the Sri Lankan fishermen little catch.
 

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