Sri Lanka, India discuss maritime boundary issues

Colombo, April 26 (IANS) Sri Lanka and India have had talks on issues relating to the maritime boundary line separating the two countries, the Sri Lanka Navy said Friday.

The navy said the 22nd International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) Meeting between Sri Lanka and India was held on board an Indian naval ship at the Indo-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Line off Kankesanthurai in the north of Sri Lanka, reported Xinhua.

The Indian delegation consisted of Indian Navy and Coast Guard officials and was headed by a naval officer.

The IMBL Meeting is held twice a year to strengthen the naval relationships between the two neighbouring countries. Delegates meet one another once aboard an Indian naval ship and next on board a Sri Lankan naval ship.

During the 22nd IMBL session, matters related to fishing activities conducted in the Palk Strait, Gulf of Mannar and smuggling of narcotics across IMBL were discussed, the navy media unit said.