Fishermen associations of TN, SL to meet in Colombo on Mar 13

The second round of talks between fishermen associations of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, aimed at resolving the vexed issue of traditional fishing rights in the Palk Straits and attacks on fishermen, would be held in Colombo on March 13, Tamil Nadu government said today.
The first round of talks between the respective fishermen associations were held on January 27 here.
"Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has agreed to conduct the next level of talks in Colombo on March 13. Besides, she also urged authorities for the release of 121 Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan navy and lodged in the prisons there after the first round of talks, before the second round of talks," an official release here said.

The state government had requested External Affairs Ministry to take necessary arrangements for the proposed talks, it said.
In a letter, Tamil Nadu government urged the Centre for taking necessary steps for getting the release of the 121 fishermen before the proposed talks, it said.
Jayalalithaa has issued orders to take up the same agenda that was followed in first round of talks in Chennai for the second round of talks also.
In the March 13 meeting, representatives of 13 fishermen associations from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would attend and senior state government officials would participate as observers, it said.