Agencies
Sri Lanka has said it was waiting for India’s response on the resumption of talks between fishing delegations from the two countries to resolve the politically sensitive fishermen issue.
“We await a request and waiting to respond on the prospect of future talks in order to come for a settlement,” fisheries ministry spokesman Narendra Rajapakse said on Tuesday.
On March 12, Sri Lanka had issued orders to release Indian fishermen, arrested for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters, ahead of the talks that was earlier scheduled for March 13 and later for March 25, but could not be held.
The order by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse came last Friday, a day after India abstained at a US-sponsored resolution against Colombo at the UNHRC.
“We know that the talks could not be held on March 13 and 25. As per the President’s order only 40 fishermen and 18 boats are remaining to be released. When that happens there will be no Indian fishermen under our
custody, Rajapakse added.
India was among the 12 countries that abstained while the resolution moved by the US government was carried with 24 votes in favour.
India had voted in favour of two previous US-backed resolutions in 2012 and 2013.
The bilateral talks began in mid-January to find a solution to the fishermen issue that often boils into a major political
controversy in India.
Sri Lanka had seized over 160 fishermen despite the agreements reached at talks held in Chennai in January.
