Sri Lanka verdict shocks Rameswaram fishers

Rameshwaram: The entire coastal community of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday was jolted by a verdict by a court in the Northern Sri Lanka, which earlier in the day imposed a hefty fine of '60 lakh on each of the eight fishermen from Thoothukudi, who were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on August 18 last for straying into their territorial waters while fishing. They had been lodged in Puthalam jail in Northern Sri Lanka since then.

Tried at Kalpatti court under the new Sri Lankan Fisheries Law, the case’s verdict which came out on Tuesday, besides slamming the exceptionally high fine amount, also directed that the eight fishermen from Therasapuram area in Thoothukudi should serve a three-month prison term, which lasts till January 14, 2019.

The news sent shockwaves among the fishing community here and prompted their representatives to urge the Indian government to file an appeal against the Sri Lankan court verdict and take steps to have all the eight fishermen released immediately.

Strike called offMeanwhile, fishermen of Rameswaram who had begun an "indefinite" work stoppage since October 3 to protest the steep rise in diesel prices and over other issues affecting their safety, called off their agitation and returned to the sea.

The decision was in view of the ensuing Deepavali festival season and keeping their livelihood interests in mind, said S. Emrit, president of the Rameswaram fishermen's association.

The first batch of 481 mechanised boats, which put out to sea on Monday returned to the shore on Tuesday with a ‘not-for-loss catch’ on the first day on resumption of work, Emrit said, adding, the rising fuel prices were still a matter of concern.

Mr. Emrit urged the State and Centre to redress their demands including ensuring safety for their boats from indiscriminate attacks from the Sri Lankan Navy in the high seas.