O Panneerselvam, former Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has written to External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, seeking his help for the release of Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka. 13 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were captured and arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 23 this year. In his letter to the EAM, Panneerselvam called the fishermen innocent.
I would like to draw your attention to yet another outrageous incident of the capture and arrest of 13 innocent fishermen from TN for eking out their livelihood on the high seas, OPS said.
Rs 13 crore bail set for fishermen
The Sri Lankan Court has fined a fine of Rs 1 crore each as a bail amount to release them. This act of the court is upping the ante in terms of punishment to the fishermen of Tamil Nadu. The fishermen venture out to sea for fishing only with the constant fear of being attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy. I request your immediate intervention to secure the release of all the fishermen and their fishing boats,” the former Tamil Nadu Deputy CM said.
This development comes at a time when Sri Lanka is facing its worst-ever economic crisis. Amid this crisis, India has helped the island nation several times. Besides opening a $1 billion line of credit, India has also provided food, medicines and other essential commodities to the Sri Lankan government.
India likely to open to additional $2 billion aid for Sri Lanka
According to a report by Reuters, India is willing to commit up to another $2 billion in financial assistance to Sri Lanka while also supporting it with food and fuel. Hit by its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has been asking friendly nations including India and China for credit lines, food and energy. Ahead of Sinhala and Tamil New Year on Thursday, India has already dispatched ships with sugar, rice and wheat. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is set to formally start loan negotiations with the International Monetary Fund starting Monday. It has also urged its overseas citizens to send home money.