By Dinasena Rathugamage
Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagle has promised Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda that he would take immediate action to stop the illegal entry of Indian fishermen into Sri Lanka’s northern seas.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said that the High Commissioner made this promise during a special discussion with the Minister via video technology.
The Indian High Commissioner has stated that immediate action will be taken in this regard due to the frequent allegations that the fishing industry in the North has been disrupted due to the illegal entry of Indian fishermen into the North Seas and the plundering of the fish stocks of the fishermen in the North.
The Indian High Commissioner said that in resolving the issue, the long standing friendship between India and Sri Lanka should be safeguarded and that the Central Government of India should hold discussions with the Tamil Nadu politicians and fisheries associations to resolve the issue in a fair manner. Bagel has said he will facilitate the process.