Connect with us

News

Detention of Indian fishermen : Our govt. has inherited the situation – Jaishankar

Published

on

Addressing the queries regarding the plight of Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka during the question hour in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishanker said that the current government inherited the situation due to events that can be traced back to 1974 and 1976.
Mr. Jaishankar detailed Sri Lanka’s legal framework, stating, “Sri Lanka has two laws — the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act of 1996 and the Fisheries Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats of 1979. Both these acts were amended in 2018 and 2023, providing for much stiffer sentences, bigger fines, and greater detention.”

He explained that many of those serving sentences are boat owners, skippers, or repeat offenders, complicating resolution efforts. He stated that the “root cause” of the ongoing issue related to the detention of Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka began in 1974 when the international maritime boundary line was drawn, followed by an exchange of letters in 1976 with Sri Lanka delineating fishing jurisdiction.

“The house is aware that, in a way, our government has inherited the problem. This problem began in 1974 when the international maritime boundary line was drawn, followed by an exchange of letters in 1976 delineating fishing jurisdiction. These decisions are the root cause of the situation,” EAM said while replying to the question raised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.

Mr. Jaishanakar further noted that the majority of the fishermen detained in Sri Lanka are from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry due to geographical proximity.

“Because it is Sri Lanka, it is natural that the majority of the fishermen will be from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry,” he said, outlining the issue’s regional context.

Providing an update on the number of fishermen detained in Sri Lanka, Mr. Jaishankar said, “Till yesterday, there were 86 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody. Today, one more trawler has been apprehended, adding 11 more fishermen. So, in total, 97 are in custody — 83 are serving sentences, three are awaiting trial, and 11 have been apprehended today.”

Earlier on Thursday, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 11 Tamil Nadu fishermen and took them to Kangesanthurai Naval camp for investigation, as per officials.

According to the Rameswaram Fishermen Association, 11 Tamil Nadu fishermen were apprehended in one boat fishing in the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu.

11 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu held; one trawler seized by Sri Lankan Navy

Meanwhile, seven fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy were released from prison and reached Chennai Airport, Tamil Nadu, today.

Four of the fishermen were arrested on February 20 and the other three on 22 February, allegedly for cross-border fishing.

(thehindu.com)

News

Immunoglobulin case : Keheliya to be indicted next week

Published

on

By

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and other suspects linked to the alleged import of substandard human immunoglobulin will be indicted before a three-judge High Court bench next week.

The Former Health Minister was arrested in early February 2024 and remanded over the alleged import of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections.

He was granted bail after seven months by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

He is charged with alleged complicity in the procurement of substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin. 

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

Continue Reading

News

ASPI hits new all-time high

Published

on

By

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a positive note today (June 03), with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) reaching an all-time high of 17,214.39, marking an increase of 234.50 points (1.38%). Similarly, the S&P SL20 Index also recorded an all-time high, rising by 96.36 points (1.91%) to close at 5,131.28.

Total market turnover amounted to LKR 7.37 billion, with 271.94 million shares traded. Market breadth reflected a positive sentiment, with 139 gainers and 77 losers contributing to the overall movement of the ASPI.

The previous record of 17,193.80 points was set on February 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 has climbed 108.53 points (2.1%) to reach 5143.45 points at the close of trading.

Continue Reading

News

Draft Bill to recognize sign language as official communication medium

Published

on

By

The Cabinet has granted approval to proceed with finalizing a draft bill to recognize sign language as an official medium of communication in Sri Lanka.

The cabinet paper was tabled by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment. The initiative aims to ensure full societal participation and equal access to information for the deaf community.

The move builds on earlier policy approval granted in 2010 to accept sign language formally, with subsequent Cabinet decisions in 2017 and 2021 directing legal drafting of the bill. 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Sri Lanka Mirror. All Rights Reserved