Following the arrest of 28 Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has sought the Centre’s intervention to secure the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats in Sri Lankan custody.

She has also demanded for strong diplomatic action to ensure that such incidents did not occur and to register India’s disapproval in the strongest possible terms.

“The Government of India should now find a lasting and permanent solution to this long pending and highly emotive issue which also carries grave security implications for our State”, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

Referring to the latest series of incidents where Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, along with their four fishing boats, have been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, Jayalalithaa said “inadequate response of the Union Government on such incidents of apprehension and detention of our fishermen have emboldened the Sri Lankan Navy to harass the Tamil Nadu Fishermen while exercising their livelihood rights to fish in their traditional waters of the Palk Bay”.

Pointing out to the deep sense of frustration and anger among the fishermen community about the continuing apprehension and detention by the Sri Lankan Navy, the Chief Minister said their right to livelihood of fishing in their traditional waters of the Palk Bay, which they have enjoyed from times immemorial, was being infringed upon repeatedly by Sri Lanka.

She hoped that there would now be a decisive shift in the stance of the Government of India towards handling of this issue under the leadership of Narendra Modi.