The Governments of Sri Lanka and India have initiated diplomatic discussions on the issue of Indian fishermen using bottom trawling method in Sri Lankan waters. First round of discussions was held in November in New Delhi with a view to arriving at a permanent solution to this issue. The delegation comprised Minister of Fisheries Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera and other senior officials. The second round is scheduled to be held on 02nd January 2017 in Colombo. Indian External Affairs Minister, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India, Minister Radha Mohan Singh will attend the meeting representing the Indian side while Fisheries Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister will be participating in the discussion representing Sri Lanka. A round of high level discussions will also be held on 29th and 30th December 2016 in New Delhi between a four member Sri Lankan delegation including the Secretary to the Fisheries Ministry, Director General of the Department and Sri Lanka Navy officers with the Indian officials. At the first round of ministerial level talks held in November in New Delhi, the two sides agreed for a Joint Working Group on Fisheries to meet every three months and a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months.
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