The Minister of Fisheries, Mahinda Amaraweera, says that diplomatic level discussions will be undertaken with India to resolve the fishing crisis.

There has been a long-standing dispute with India over its fishermen entering into Sri lankan waters to poach. There are accusations that the Indian fishermen use banned nets and other illegal methods, causing damage to the domestic fish stock. This leaves lankan fishermen with smaller catches and their livelihoods in peril.

The minster said that an investigation would be expedited, following an incident where a group of Sri Lankan fishermen were attacked in the North.

However, Sri Lankan fishermen are not unaccustomed to straying into Indian territories. The Minister said discussions would take place in the days ahead to release the nine Sri Lankan fishermen held in India.

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