Chennai sources have stated that Tamilnadu government expressed concern over a Sri Lankan fisheries bill, by saying it was aimed at preventing Indian fishermen from exercising their traditional fishing rights in the Palk Bay. Meanwhile it had urged the Centre to lodge its "strong protest" with Colombo against the legislation.
Moreover by drawing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attention towards the bill, "reportedly introduced and passed in the Sri Lankan Parliament," Chief Minister K Palaniswami said it prohibited certain fishing methods including bottom trawling.
Edappadi said in a letter to PM 'It is widely
reported in a section of media that under the provisions of the Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources Bill, the fishing trawlers as well as fishing gear used for
fishing in the Sri Lankan territorial waters will be confiscated, fishermen
imprisoned for two years and huge fine up to 50,000 Lankan Rupees will be
imposed'.
