Prime Minister Narednra Modi and Sri Lanka Executive President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, April 6, 2025. |Photo source: PTI
Sri Lanka released at least 11 Indian fishermen as a special gesture on Sunday (6 April 2025), the day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi solved the troubled fishermen’s problem with a “humane approach”.
The fishermen’s issue was highlighted in a talks between PM Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday.
“We also discussed issues related to the livelihoods of fishermen. We agree that we should take a humane approach on this issue,” PM Modi said in his media statement after meeting with President Dissanayake.
“We also emphasize the immediate release of fishermen and their vessels,” he said.
People familiar with the matter said at least 11 Indian fishermen were released as a special gesture.
The fishermen issue is a controversial issue between the two sides.
Sri Lankan naval personnel have had some alleged incidents in the past, and the force against Indian fishermen in the Parker Strait is a narrow water that separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a media briefing on Saturday that the fishermen issue was “quite details” between the two sides.
“As the Prime Minister said in his speech, people stressed the need for a humanitarian and constructive cooperative approach on these issues, as these are ultimately issues affecting the livelihoods of fishermen on both sides of the Park Bay,” he said.
“The Prime Minister stressed that, at the end of the day, for fishermen, this is a daily issue and that some of the recent actions can be reconsidered.”
The Foreign Minister said the two sides also stressed the need to strengthen institutional discussions on the issue.
“Both sides are convening the next round of Fishermen’s Association’s possibilities for talks between Sri Lanka and India are interconnected,” he said.
publishing – April 6, 2025 at 12:56 pm IST
