DELHI (Nov 4): Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that India and Sri Lanka must jointly develop a “proper, workable framework” grounded in international law to address the long-standing fishermen dispute between the two countries.
Speaking at an event titled India–Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations in New Delhi, Premadasa described the fishing row as “very important,” urging both governments to cooperate rather than allow recurring maritime tensions to fester.
“The two countries must cooperate and establish a proper, workable framework — one that is based on fact and substance,” he said in response to a question by ANI. “There are international laws and regulations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerning the continental shelf and high seas, which must be respected. It is important to ensure that illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing is addressed in line with these legal prescriptions.”
Acknowledging the livelihood challenges faced by coastal communities, Premadasa said any income-generation activity must “withstand the test of law.”
“We understand that this involves the livelihood of households, but it is equally important to ensure that all such income-generation methods are lawful. Rather than operating without a clear and permanent framework, both sides should work together toward a lasting solution,” he added.
His remarks come amid persistent tensions over Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, entering Sri Lankan waters near Katchatheevu island, often resulting in arrests and maritime clashes.
Last month, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, described the issue as a “sensitive one” and said both sides would “continue discussions to find a practical solution.”
“We need to protect the livelihoods of our fishermen as well, but we understand that it’s a sensitive issue, and we will continue to talk about it,” Amarasuriya said at the time.
The fishermen dispute has long been a thorn in India–Sri Lanka relations, with the Sri Lankan Navy frequently detaining Indian fishermen and seizing their trawlers for alleged illegal fishing in its waters. The narrow Palk Strait — separating Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka — remains a rich but contested fishing ground for both nations.