Discussions between Indian and Sri Lankan fisher representatives on settling the contentious issue of bottom trawling by Indian boats, on the sidelines of the Kachchathivu feast yesterday, ended in a stalemate.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda who was a moderator promised to call for another round of talks in May after briefing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, on the outcome of yesterday’s meeting. The Indian side has sought time to end encroaching into Sri Lankan waters using unconventional fishing practices. They said that the Northern sea had been part of their traditional fishing ground and the methods used have become a habit.
However, the Sri Lankan side had rejected their request for more time to end bottom-trawling.
The representatives called upon Minister Devananda to take up the matter at bilateral level, since several rounds of talks between the fisher representatives had failed to find a solution to the age-old issue.
The annual festival of St. Anthony’s Church, Kachchativu was celebrated with the participation of Sri Lankan and Indian devotees yesterday. While 100 Sri Lankan devotees arrived at the Island for the feast, 80 Indian fishermen took part in the sacred ritual.
The organising committee of the feast earlier resolved not to permit Indian devotees due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Talks in progress