Sri Lanka, India say use of force cannot be justified

Both Sri Lanka and India today agreed that the use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances and decided to fully investigate the incidents that led to the recent deaths of two Indian fishermen in the waters between the two countries.


India's Foreign Secretary Mrs. Nirupama Rao arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (30) and held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris this morning on the Fishermen's issue.

Mrs. Rao also met Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, and Secretary to the External Affairs Ministry Romesh Jayasinghe.

In a joint statement issued following the discussions, Foreign Secretary Rao has expressed the deep concern of the Government of India at the recent violent incidents in the waters between India and Sri Lanka, which had resulted in the tragic death of two Indian fishermen.

She has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to fully investigate the incidents and take all necessary steps to prevent their recurrence in future.

The Sri Lanka authorities have emphasized in this regard that it is the consistent policy of Sri Lanka to treat in a humanitarian manner all fishermen, including those from the Indian fishing community, who cross into Sri Lanka waters.

"Given the very close bilateral relationship between the two countries, any development which impacts on the wellbeing of the Indian fishing community pu [...]