Coast Guards of India, Sri Lanka stress on streamlining procedures for fishermen release

NEW DELHI: India and Sri Lanka today stressed on streamlining procedures for the relase and repatriation of fishermen apprehended by the maritime forces of the two countries while fishing in each other's waters.

At a delegation-level meeting, Indian Coast Guard chief Vice Admiral Anurag Thapliyal and his Sri Lankan counterpart Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne also discussed ways of further strengthening their operational cooperation and other security issues.

"During discussions, it was mutually agreed to strengthen the cooperation on evolving a collaborative approach in addressing a spectrum of maritime issues concerning safety and security and further streamlining the procedure for release or repatriation of fishermen," a Coast Guard release said.

The arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri lankan Navy and Coast Guard has been a contentious issue between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan Coast Guard chief is in India on a four-day visit which started yesterday.

The focus of the meeting was on "further strengthening the operational level interaction for search and rescue, preservation and protection of maritime environment, revalidating standard operating procedures and communication procedures between the two Coast Guards."

The three-member Sri Lankan delegation also called on Navy chief Admiral R K Dhowan and Defence Secretary R K Mathur and deliberated on issues of common maritime interests.