India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has registered its strong protest with Sri Lanka over the death of an Indian fisherman following a collision between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat near Katchatheevu island today. 

According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, the ministry summoned the Sri Lankan acting high commissioner in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over the incident.

“We expressed our shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will also be raising the matter with the Sri Lankan government later today.

“The Government of India has always emphasised the need to deal with issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner,” the ministry said in a statement.

According to Indian media, concerns were raised after a collision between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat near Katchatheevu island left one fisherman dead and another missing.

The collision occurred about 5 nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island on Thursday morning. Of the four fishermen on the boat, two were rescued and taken to Kankesanthurai.

A search is underway for the missing fisherman, the ministry said. Indian Consulate officials in Jaffna have been asked to urgently go to Kankesanthurai to support the fishermen and their families, it added.

Katchatheevu Island, situated between Rameswaram (India) and Sri Lanka, was traditionally used by fishermen from both countries. In 1974, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi agreed to cede Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka under the “Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement.”

This agreement confirmed Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over the island and addressed historic waters between Sri Lanka and India in the Palk Strait and Palk Bay. But Indian fishermen are allowed to access the island, as per the agreement. (Newswire/ Hindustan Times)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has assisted in bringing ashore an ill fisherman whose life was at risk while aboard a local multi-day fishing trawler in the southern waters of Sri Lanka. 

The fisherman was retrieved by a Merchant Vessel in the sea area, on being coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo. 

According to the Navy, after being brought ashore today, he was rushed to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

The local multi-day fishing trawler “Nethum Putha 03” is reported to have left the Nilwella Fisheries Harbour with 06 fishermen on July 04 for fishing activities.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources alerted MRCC Colombo that a crew member onboard the fishing trawler was in distress at sea and requested the Navy’s assistance to transfer him ashore for treatment.

A nearby Merchant Vessel named ‘MT Lijmiliya’ was directed to the trawler’s location to assist. With the assistance of MRCC Colombo, the Merchant Vessel managed to retrieve the fisherman and he was brought to the Galle Offshore Patrol Limit while being administered first aid. 

Following this, the Sri Lanka Navy dispatched a Fast Attack Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command, to Galle Offshore Patrol Limit where they boarded the ill fisherman and brought him ashore today. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has rendered assistance to bring ashore a fisherman with burn injuries sustained following an accident while aboard a local multiday fishing trawler yesterday (11). 

According to the Navy, the fisherman experienced this unfortunate incident while at sea approximately 431 nautical miles (about 798km) off the coast of Galle.

The multiday fishing trawler named ‘Sachintha Putha’ had set sail from the Negombo harbour for fishing on June 22, with five (05) crew members. 

The multiday fishing trawler reportedly collided with a foreign vessel on the high seas southwest of Sri Lanka where a fisherman who was on the local fishing trawler had suffered burn injuries due to an attack by the foreign vessel. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, located at the Navy Headquarters, about the developments.

Responding to the urgent situation, the Navy, at the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, made prompt arrangements to bring the wounded fisherman ashore. 

Accordingly, MRCC Colombo informed the Bulk Carrier ‘SPAR MIRA’ sailing in the same sea area to get the wounded fisherman aboard. 

The Bulk Carrier responded to the MRCC Colombo’s information and retrieved the injured fisherman, bringing him on board. 

The Navy stated that instead of continuing its original course towards Singapore, the ship altered its route and sailed approximately 400 nautical miles to the southern sea area of Sri Lanka last evening. 

A Fast Attack Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command helped transfer the fishermen brought by SPAR MIRA’ and took him to the Galle harbour while administering first aid. 

The Sri Lanka Navy added that the injured fisherman was then rushed to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle for further medical attention. (NewsWire)

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