Although the Tamil Nadu government had requested the Sri Lankan government to allow Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters, the Minister of Fisheries, Mr. Douglas Devananda, has strongly rejected it.
Talking to Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister Mr. Anita Radha Kriashnan on the phone, he said that he would take steps to thoroughly oppose the request to allow the fishing industry in Sri Lankan waters for a certain period of time until a diplomatic solution to this fishing problem is found.
In addition, the minister stated that the fishermen of Tamil Nadu would be given consideration for their involvement in the upcoming discussions, provided they guarantee not to use the nation's marine resources. The request made by the Sri Lankan government to settle the territorial dispute between Sri Lanka and India has not yet received a response, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Alisabri.
