Call for 24‑hour India‑Sri Lanka coast guard link amid fishing disputes

New Delhi, August 13 – In a formal communication to the Lok Sabha Secretary, Congress MP Manikam Tagore has asked the government to set up a round‑the‑clock liaison between India’s Coast Guard and the Sri Lankan Navy. The request follows a spate of arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities.

Tagore cited the August 12 incident where the Sri Lankan Navy seized nine Indian fishermen and their trailer near Urumaalai Point, accusing them of breaching the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). He also referenced an earlier seizure on August 6 involving eleven fishermen from Ramanathapuram.

The MP pointed out that the Palk Strait is a congested and perilous waterway where engine failures, sudden storms, high winds, strong currents, and poor visibility can cause vessels to cross the IMBL unintentionally. He urged that accidental crossings be differentiated from deliberate illegal fishing activities.

Drawing on information presented in the Rajya Sabha on July 23, Tagore noted that 30 Indian fishermen and 171 boats are currently held by Sri Lankan authorities. Since 2023, a total of 1,306 fishermen and 179 vessels have been detained.

Tagore’s proposal calls for a permanent bilateral framework that would issue warnings and provide assistance to fishermen who mistakenly cross the boundary, rather than imprisoning them. He emphasized that a 24‑hour communication system would help verify emergencies promptly, preventing future arrests based on accidental border crossings. The MP concluded by demanding the swift release of the detained fishermen and protection of the coastal communities’ livelihoods.