Second round of India-Sri Lanka fishermen talks March 13

The second round of talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen on fishing rights in the Palk Strait will be held in Colombo March 13, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said Sunday.

In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa also said that Sri Lankan fishermen arrested after Jan 27 should be released prior to the March 13 talks.

The state government Sunday wrote to the centre on taking necessary action to hold the talks.

Tamil Nadu also asked the centre to see that the 121 Indian fishermen and their boats held by Sri Lanka are released prior to the talks.

The first round of talks was held here Jan 27 and ended amicably. The fishermen had decided to have the next round of talks in Colombo.

Jayalalithaa said that during the talks, the state's fishermen would stress their traditional fishing rights in the Palk Strait and also on fishing by both countries on a mutual cooperation basis.

As agreed in the earlier talks, the Sri Lankan Navy should stop its attacks on Indian fishermen and their arrests and seizure of their boats, she said.

The talks should also chalk out ways in which Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy are released fast, she said.