Members in Parliament today voiced concern over remarks of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe that his country’s navy has the right to shoot any “intruder”, prompting the government to express willingness for a debate on the issue.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and AIADMK leader M Thambidurai drew attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the statement of Wickramsinghe as soon as she made a statement in the House on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius. 

Thambidurai said the Sri Lankan Prime Minister has repeated his ‘right to shoot’ remarks after the visit of Modi to the island nation.

The Sri Lankan leader had made a similar statement before Modi’s visit also, saying if Indian fishermen intrude into his country’s territorial waters, its fishermen have the right to shoot. 

Urging the government to take the matter “seriously”, he demanded a discussion on his remarks under Rule 193 (short duration discussion) which does not entail voting. 

Swaraj said Modi discussed problems faced by fishermen with the Sri Lankan leadership and pointed out that this is a complex issue involving livelihood and humanitarian concerns on both side.

The government is ready for a discussion on the statement of the Sri Lankan PM, she said.  (Economic Times)