Date:27/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/27/stories/2007042707531200.htm

National

Firing `taken up' with Colombo

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: New Delhi has "strongly taken up with" Colombo the recent incidents of firing on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

"The need for the Sri Lankan Navy to act with restraint and for our fishermen to be treated in a humane manner has been repeatedly emphasised to the Government of Sri Lanka," Mr. Mukherjee said in a written response to a question.

"In response, the Government of Sri Lanka have denied that their Navy ever enters Indian territorial waters and claimed that their naval ships were not deployed in areas where the incidents occurred," he stated.

Also, Mr. Mukherjee, during a visit to Sri Lanka in January, conveyed to Colombo that the "only solution" to the ethnic problem was a negotiated, political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, acceptable to all sections of the country.

"We also expressed concern about any escalation of violence resulting in civilian casualties," he added in response to another question.