Committee to warn straying fishermen in Sri Lankan waters

The Centre has set up a committee to warn fishermen venturing into Sri Lankan waters. The committee was formed a month ago after two fishermen were allegedly killed by the Sri Lankan navy. It has to submit options for physical and technical demarcation of Indo-Sri Lankan waters within six months.

Vice-admiral BR Rao, the government’s chief hydrographer and a member of the committee, said in New Delhi on Friday: “We can only recommend physical and technical options, beyond which it is political.”

The committee is looking at demarcating the maritime boundary using lighthouses. The intensity of light will reduce as one crosses the boundary, indicating a breach. The committee is also in talks with cell phone service providers to install towers on the boundary, so that its crossing is reflected.

Meanwhile, all the 136 fishermen caught by the Sri Lankan navy on Tuesday and Wednesday were released on Friday.