Nearly 5,000 Indian fishing vessels enter Sri Lankan waters at least 3 days per week and get a fish catch amounting to 6,000 metric tons per week which generally incurs an annual loss of Rs. 9,000 million to our country.

Apprehensions conducted by SL Navy and Coast Guard on Indian fishing vessels has resulted in a slump in illegal Indian vessels on Sri Lankan waters. After taking the office of Fisheries Minister in 2015, the current Minister acted not to release any Indian vessel arrested and such vessels were confiscated even though the arrested fishers were released on humane grounds. Also, the diplomatic discussions were conducted with Indian government and they were briefed on the massive calamity caused to Sri Lankan sea by Indian fishers. Further discussions are to be held on 02nd January next year in Colombo with the Indian External Affairs Minister, Fisheries Minister and other diplomats.

Apprehension and confiscation of Indian fishing vessels and their fishing gear shall not be ceased until the issue is permanently redressed, emphasized the Minister. Most of the Indian vessels that illegally fish on Sri Lankan waters are owned not by traditional Indian fishers but by politicians and large scale businessmen in Tamil Nadu, also mentioned the Minister.