India asks Sri Lanka to probe fisherman’s killing
By IANSSunday, January 23, 2011
NEW DELHI - India Sunday strongly condemned the tragic killing of another Indian fisherman allegedly by Sri Lankan Navy personnel and asked Colombo to investigate the latest incident a day earlier and ensure that it is not repeated.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna expressed the Indian government’s “strong and unequivocal condemnation of this violent incident” and conveyed his deep sympathies to the family of the deceased.
The Indian government immediately raised the matter with the Sri Lankan government, both in New Delhi and Colombo.
“The Sri Lankan government was requested to seriously investigate this incident and ensure that it does not recur,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters.
“We have stressed that use of force must be eschewed in all such situations and have reiterated that the welfare and the safety of our fishermen in the waters between India and Sri Lanka will continue to receive very high priority by the government,” the spokesperson said, reminding Colombo of the October 2008 understanding over the issue of safety of fishermen.
In the last 10 days two Indian fishermen have been killed by the Sri Lanka Navy, according to officials.
