A tragic incident occurred early yesterday morning, resulting in the loss of life of an Indian fisherman and the disappearance of another. A Sri Lankan naval vessel collided with an Indian fishing boat 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island. Out of the four Indian fishermen on board, one lost his life, and another is still missing. Two fishermen were rescued and brought ashore to Kankesanthurai, where a search operation is underway for the missing individual.
The Indian government has expressed shock and anguish over the incident and has registered a strong protest with the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi. India’s High Commissioner in Colombo will also raise the matter with the Sri Lankan government, emphasizing the need for a humane and humanitarian approach to issues related to fishermen.
The government has stressed the importance of adhering to existing understandings between the two countries and ensuring that such incidents do not recur. The safety and security of Indian fishermen are of utmost priority, and the government will continue to raise this issue at the highest levels with the Sri Lankan leadership.