Five Indian Fishermen Injured in Sri Lankan Navy Firing, India Lodges Strong Protest
Incident Occurs Despite December Agreement on Avoiding Violence
Latest Incident Details
Five Indian fishermen were injured, two critically, when the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire while apprehending a group of 13 fishermen near Delft Island in the Palk Strait early Tuesday. The incident prompted India to summon Sri Lanka’s most senior diplomat in New Delhi for an immediate protest.
Medical Status and Response
The two seriously injured fishermen are currently receiving treatment at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, while three others were treated for minor injuries. Officials from India’s consulate in Jaffna have visited the injured and are providing assistance to their families.
Diplomatic Action
India took swift diplomatic action on multiple fronts:
- Sri Lanka’s acting high commissioner was summoned to the external affairs ministry in New Delhi
- A strong protest was lodged over the incident
- India’s high commission in Colombo raised the matter with Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry
Recent Agreement Violation
The incident occurred just over a month after both countries agreed during Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s December visit to India to avoid “aggressive behaviour or violence” when dealing with fishermen crossing maritime boundaries.
India’s Official Position
The external affairs ministry emphasized several key points:
- The need for humane treatment of fishermen’s issues
- Recognition of livelihood concerns
- Strict observance of existing bilateral understandings
- Unacceptability of force under any circumstances
Historical Context
The repeated detention of Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, by Sri Lankan authorities has become a significant bilateral irritant. Notable recent incidents include:
- August 2023: A collision between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat resulted in one death and one missing person
- Similar diplomatic protests were lodged following previous incidents
Recent Diplomatic Efforts
During December discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Dissanayake:
- Both leaders agreed to address fishermen’s issues humanitarianly
- Emphasized the need to avoid aggressive behavior
- Committed to finding peaceful solutions
Broader Implications
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing maritime boundaries and fishing rights between the two nations, despite diplomatic agreements and understandings. It also underscores the need for more effective mechanisms to prevent such incidents while protecting both countries’ maritime interests.
Current Status
Both countries are now engaged in diplomatic discussions to address the immediate incident while working toward preventing future occurrences. The focus remains on balancing maritime security concerns with the humanitarian needs of fishing communities.
These events have renewed attention on the need for a long-term solution to the fishing rights dispute in the Palk Strait, while maintaining the delicate balance of bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.