Noting that the Indian government is working hard to release fishermen from Sri Lanka, Union shipping minister G.K. Vasan told reporters here that two special officers would be sent to the Indian Em­­bassy in Sri Lanka to facilitate the release of fishermen.

“We hope that all fishermen held captive in Lankan prisons will be freed at one go,” he said after inaugurating the 5th Raymond India Int­ernational Sailing Re­gatta 2013 at the Che­nnai Port Trust (CPT) on Monday.

“Our embassy is extending all help to the fishermen jailed in Sri Lanka. The Indian government is very particular that such detention of fishermen, firing at their boats, capture and arrest of fishermen sh­o­uld not continue,” he added. He noted that fishermen held captive in Sri Lanka are mainly from Rameswaram, Th­eni and Thoothukudi districts.    

On Rahul Gan­dhi’s rejection of the UPA ordinance shielding convicted MPs and MLAs, Vasan said  Rahul was the Congress vice-president and had made the remarks as an individual and as a Con­gressman. “It also refl­ects the views of the co­m­mon man,” the ship­ping minister poi­nted out.

Earlier, he promised that the Chennai Port Trust would consider the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association’s request to allot it an area on a long-term basis at a concessional rent for sailing activities. He also urged the CPT management to incorporate sailing as a sport to be encouraged in its long term plans and take necessary steps to promote the sport. Over 100 participants from nine countries are taking part in the regatta which is being held in Chennai for the fifth consecutive time. (DeccanChronicle)