India Summons Sri Lankan Envoy To Express Strong Protest After Fisherman’s Death

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Indian External Affairs Ministry had summoned the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi to register strong protest over the incident where an Indian fisherman died, and another missing following a collision reported between a Sri Lanka Navy vessel, and an Indian fishing boat, early on Thursday (1).

India says that its Government attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian fishermen. 

A collision was reported early this morning between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island. 

Out of the four Indian fishermen who were on board the vessel, one unfortunately lost his life and another is missing. 

Two of the fishermen have been rescued and brought ashore to Kankesanthurai. 

A search is ongoing for the missing Indian fisherman. 

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have been instructed to immediately rush to Kankesanthurai and extend all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families.

The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in this morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was registered over the incident. 

"We expressed our shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will also be raising the matter with the Sri Lankan government later today," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

It added that the Government of India has always emphasized the need to deal with issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner. Existing understandings between the two Governments in that regard must be strictly observed. Utmost efforts should be made to ensure that there is no recurrence or resort to the use of force.

Government attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian fishermen. Issues relating to Indian fishermen have been raised regularly at the highest levels with the Sri Lankan leadership, it added.