more-in India will remain engaged with Sri Lanka for the release of the Indian fishermen and their boats in the custody of the authorities there, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj assured a delegation of fishermen from Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. In the first such meeting since a fisherman was killed, allegedly by the Sri Lankan navy in the first week of this month, Ms. Swaraj said a major financial package for the development of deep sea fishing capacities for Tamil Nadu fishermen would be implemented soon. Also Read ‘Retrieval of Katchatheevu will help find a lasting solution to fishermen issue’ “External Affairs Minister assured the fishermen that the government will remain closely engaged with the Sri Lankan government to secure the release of all Indian boats and fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custody,” said an official source. The delegation was accompanied Minister of State Pon Radhakrishnan and MPs R. Raajha and L. Ganesan. Tuesday’s meeting is significant, as it is the first time that fishermen from Tamil Nadu themselves presented their case to Ms. Swaraj. After the death of the fisherman, Sri Lanka assured India of carrying out an investigation into the incident. But it is yet to be completed. Ms Swaraj assured the delegation of support in developing more sustainable fishing practices. “She also reiterated the government’s commitment for early implementation of the Rs 1,500 crore package to develop deep sea fishing capacities for fishermen in Tamil Nadu and informed that initial financial allotment in this regard had been made,” said the source. India’s support for more sustainable fishing practices and deep sea fishing comes even as Sri Lanka’s parliament is considering a bill to ban bottom trawling in the waters around the island nation. The bill is being championed by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which is led by R Sampanthan. In an interview with The Hindu last week, Mr. Sampanthan had urged India to adopt more environment-friendly fishing practices.

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