Sri Lanka Navy has responded to reports on the recent collision with an Indian Trawler, which resulted in the death of an Indian fisherman, stating that the trawler was poaching in Sri Lankan waters and had collided by attempting to defy its orders.
Issuing a statement, the Navy said having spotted Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island in Jaffna on July 31, it had deployed its craft to prevent poaching.
During the Navy’s efforts to seize some of the Indian fishing trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters, the trawlers had attempted to evade the Navy with aggressive manoeuvres, defying its orders.
During this incident, a trawler continued on its course after colliding with a naval craft and moments later it was seen capsizing and sinking, the Navy said.
The Sri Lanka Navy further said that responding swiftly, it had launched a search and rescue operation for four Indian fishermen and had tossed lifesaving gear to the sinking trawler, successfully rescuing three fishermen.
Of the three rescued fishermen, one was in critical condition and was admitted to the Punguduthivu Hospital in Jaffna for treatment, but hospital authorities confirmed that the fisherman was deceased upon admission.
The Sri Lanka Navy further said that amidst rough seas and strong winds, the other fisherman, who was floating with a lifebelt, disappeared into the sea before the naval craft could rescue him.
The Navy said it is continuing the search and rescue operation off Delft Island to locate the missing fisherman and that the operation is being jointly conducted with the Indian Coast Guard craft.
Meanwhile, the other two fishermen rescued by the Navy are in good health and will be handed over to the Indian authorities, along with the body of the deceased fisherman.
The incident prompted India’s Ministry of External Affairs to register its strong protest with Sri Lanka. The ministry yesterday 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. (Newswire)