Sat Apr 05 15:59:16 UTC 2025: ## Sri Lankan Tamil Leaders Urge India to Ban Bottom Trawling to Resolve Fisheries Dispute

**Colombo, April 5, 2025** – Sri Lankan Tamil political leaders have called on India to ban bottom trawling to end the long-standing fisheries conflict impacting fishermen from both Sri Lanka’s Northern Province and Tamil Nadu. The plea comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rameswaram, a major departure point for Indian bottom trawlers often seized by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The leaders highlighted the devastating effects of bottom trawling on the marine ecosystem of the Palk Bay and the livelihoods of war-affected Tamil fishermen in Sri Lanka. M.A. Sumanthiran, general secretary of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi, recalled a 2016 agreement between India and Sri Lanka to end the practice. While acknowledging India’s efforts to promote deep-sea fishing, he emphasized that bottom trawling continues to be a major problem.

Sri Lanka banned the practice in 2017, following a private member’s bill. India currently observes a seasonal ban on fishing along its east coast. The Sri Lankan President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Prime Minister Modi both acknowledged the issue in statements, emphasizing the need for a cooperative and humane approach, including the release of detained Indian fishermen and boats.

India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, stated that both countries agreed to enhance discussions and facilitate talks between fishermen associations from both sides. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the upcoming visit to Rameswaram, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two nations over fishing rights in the Palk Strait.

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