♤ Both India and Sri Lankan fishermen have been known for entering into each other’s

waters.

♤ However, cases of arrest of Sri Lankan fishermen by Indian authorities are comparatively less since they mostly fish in the high seas by using multi-day crafts.

♤ On the other hand, due to the dearth of multi-day fishing capability, Indian fishermen cannot shift their fishing effort from the Palk Bay area to the offshore areas of the Indian waters or way beyond the continental shelf.

♤ Therefore, Indian fishermen have no other option but to fish into the Sri Lankan waters. While for the Sri Lankan authorities protecting their maritime boundary is important, for the Indian fishermen the priority is of securing their livelihood.

♤ In early 2017 India raised at the highest level the killing of an Indian fisherman near Katchatheevu islet in Palk Straits by the Sri Lankan navy. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the release of 85 fishermen and their 128 boats under Sri Lankan custody.