Sri Lanka denies Navy role, assures cooperation

New Delhi: In the wake of the killing of an Indian Tamil fisherman allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy on Monday night following which an angry India demanded a probe, Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced that  “initial investigations indicate that the Sri Lanka Navy is not involved in the alleged incident”.

India on Tuesday morning said it was “deeply concerned” and that the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo has taken up the matter with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, adding that “the Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full and thorough investigation” into the incident. Colombo, in turn, said that “if in fact a shooting has taken place, it is a matter of grave concern”, adding that “the Government of Sri Lanka is firm in its commitment to ensuring that all Government agencies treat all Indian fishermen in a humane manner at all times”.

There were also reports that a Sri Lankan Naval officer too denied the allegations, maintaining that Sri Lankan naval boats are “not authorised to shoot” at Indian fishermen.

In a statement from New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The Government of India is deeply concerned at the killing of an Indian fisherman. Our High Commissioner to Sri Lanka has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full and thorough investigation.”