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Monday, July 07, 2008 - 5.04 GMT |
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Govt denies harassment of Indian fishermen |
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The Government of Sri Lanka strongly refutes
allegations contained in certain foreign
media reports that the Sri Lanka Navy had
detained and harassed Indian fishermen
aboard fishing trawlers which had been
detected poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
"The Sri Lanka Navy shore based radars at
Talaimannar and Delft island detected
approximately 300 Indian fishing trawlers
poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters
close to Talaimannar and Delft island,
heading towards the uncleared area of
Vedithalthivu around 11.30 hours on 02 July
2008. Following the receipt of credible
information that the LTTE was attempting to
the use the presence of the trawlers for
terrorist activities, Sri Lanka Navy boats
rushed to the area and checked 289 trawlers
and after conducting inquiries, permitted
the trawlers to leave with the crew back
into the Indian waters. At no point were the
fishermen harassed by the Navy personnel or
subjected to any humiliation as alleged in
certain media reports," Foreign Ministry
stated.
It may be recalled that Tamil Nadu fishermen
themselves have on several occasions
acknowledged the humanitarian assistance
rendered by the Sri Lanka Navy to them at
times of distress at sea. It is the
consistent policy of the Government of Sri
Lanka and the Sri Lanka Navy to treat
fishermen apprehended in Sri Lankan waters
in a humanitarian manner, Ministry further
said.
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