Colombo, Sri Lanka – Leader of the House and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, has made a strong allegation against India, stating that despite its assistance to Sri Lanka, it has failed to protect the livelihood of Northern fishermen.
Speaking in Parliament on March 5, Ratnayake revealed that he had officially requested the Indian government to allow the fishing industry in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province to operate freely, as it remains the only source of income for many in the region.
He urged India to ensure that its fishermen adhere to Indian laws regarding the unauthorized entry of Indian fishing vessels into Sri Lankan waters. He further called for a dialogue between the Indian government and the Tamil Nadu administration to address the ongoing issue of Indian fishermen trespassing into Sri Lankan territory, which has long been a source of tension between the two nations.
Ratnayake asserted that while India continues to provide financial and infrastructural assistance to Sri Lanka, these efforts would be meaningless if they do not address the concerns of Northern fishermen, whose livelihood is at risk due to illegal incursions by Indian trawlers.
Participating in the debate on the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources’ budget allocations, Ratnayake emphasized that true assistance is not just about providing aid during crises but about creating sustainable opportunities for communities to support themselves.
His comments come at a crucial time as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns to power, raising questions about how India will handle Sri Lanka’s concerns over maritime disputes and economic collaboration moving forward.
