Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is in India, met Prime Minister Modi in person yesterday. Both discussed Tamilnadu Fishermen’s issue and agreed that a lasting and sustainable solution was needed.
In this context, it is worth noting that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on his Twitter page remarked, “Sri Lanka should consider releasing the Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and returning the seized boats.
Talks such as this will instil confidence and pave the way for developing strong relations and a harmonious future between our two countries.” Stalin’s remarks when Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Modi are meeting has a lot of political significance.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had also pressed for the same request earlier. It is welcome that Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake have spoken about the Tamil Nadu fishermen's issue.
Although they have not made any concrete announcements on how to resolve the issue they have shed a ray of hope on the Tamil Nadu fishermen.
A permanent solution to the Tamil Nadu fishermen issue will depend on the next steps taken by both countries. There should be action on ground. On his return to his country the Sri Lankan President should ensure that all the Tamil Nadu fishermen who are in prison there should be released; their livelihood boats should also be released. This is what Tamil Nadu is currently expecting.
Will Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake do this and lay the foundation for a permanent solution?