The loss to Sri Lanka’s income from fisheries monthly is Rs.5,500, as Indian fishermen have invaded Sri Lanka’s Maritime boundaries, stated Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara at a media briefing held by the National Joint Committee at the Library Services and Documentation Board yesterday (05). He said that issues pertaining to Sri Lanka – India Trade Agreement should be resolved first, before the signing of the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India. Weerasekara stated that India discouraged our exports by imposing taboos, while the export rate of Sri Lanka is only 13% and India’s export rate is 37%. He said that nearly 800 – 1,000 Indian trawlers invade our maritime boundaries and rob our fisheries harvest. He also stated that drugs, firearms and forged currency was being transported to the country which was a huge threat to the nation’s security. He alleged that the Indian Navy had not taken any steps to stop these illegal activities so far. We are clueless as from which margin this ETCA Agreement is going to be operated. We might be too late if we do not start talking about these issues.
The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., 19962016.