Talks between fishermen’s associations of India and Sri Lanka on fishing rights in the Palk Bay and Palk Strait area have come under a cloud with the Sri Lankan government saying that it had not been consulted before India announced that the meeting would take place on May 12 and 13.
Nimal Hettiarachchi, director general of fisheries, told Express that the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi had agreed to the dates suggested by the Tamil Nadu and Indian governments without consulting the Lankan fisheries department and the fisheries minister.
“Our department’s prior consent is necessary as it is we who have to host the meeting,” he explained.
He also said there would be no point in fishermen holding talks without doing the necessary ground work.
As per an announcement from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, talks between fishermen’s associations are to be held in Colombo on May 12 and 13, ENS reported.
