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Describing the action as unacceptable, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy was reported while caught by 13 Indian fishermen near the Delt Island in the early hours of this morning. Two of the 13 fishermen aboard the fishing boat have suffered serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
Five Indian fishermen were injured in a shootout by the Sri Lankan Navy near the Delt island, of which two are in critical condition. India’s Foreign Ministry (MEA) has reacted strongly to this incident. Describing the action as unacceptable, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy was reported while caught by 13 Indian fishermen near the Delt Island in the early hours of this morning. Two of the 13 fishermen aboard the fishing boat have suffered serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
Three more fishermen riding on the same ship suffered minor injuries and were admitted to the hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the Indian consulate officials in Jaffna have met the injured fishermen and are helping all possible. In New Delhi, the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka was called to the Ministry of External Affairs this morning and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. The Ministry of External Affairs said that in addition, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has raised the matter before the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry. The Government of India has always emphasized the need to dispose of issues related to fishermen in a human and humanitarian manner keeping in view livelihood concerns.
Use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances. In this regard, the current understanding between the two governments should be strictly followed. The Sri Lankan Navy claimed that accidentally firing took place as Indian fishermen tried to attack naval personnel while acting as an organized group.
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