Images: Sri Navy Radars detect a large number of Indian fishing boats engaged in poaching in the Sri Lankan waters off Thalaimannar.Contact with SLN Water Jet Lost
07 Navy Personnel Missing
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(February 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka Navy concluded the search operation conducted today morning in the seas off Thalaimannar. The Navy launched the search operation when two of its small fibre glass boats were fired upon by two Indian fishing craft engaged in illegal fishing north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (4th February 2008), according to Sri Lankan Navy official report.
However, according to reliable sources, “two vessels of the Sri Lanka Navy suddenly came under fire when they tried to investigate a large number of fishing boats docked in the Thalaimannar region. It is now believed that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched the attack after mingling in with the Indian fishermen who had illegally entered the Sri Lankan territorial waters.”
SLN command has lost contact with one of its Water Jets following the sea battle. 7 SLN personnel are missing in Action (MIA). SLN sources claim that it is unlikely that the tigers captured the vessel. LTTE casualties are not known, the sources added.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Navy report says, “It is now suspected that LTTE sea tigers may have been involved in the incident. LTTE sea tigers often use the cover of Indian fishing boats to launch attacks on SLN vessels and craft. They mingle with Indian fishing boats to avoid detection and launch attacks endangering the lives of the Indian fishermen in the ensuing retaliatory fire. LTTE sea tigers have a track record of highjacking Indian trawlers and boats to be used in attacks against the Navy and to run clandestine arms smuggling activities across the Gulf of Mannar,”
According to the Report, “the Navy’s radars had detected approximately 400 Indian fishing trawlers in the Sri Lankan territorial waters north of Thalaimannar close to Iranathivu yesterday (04th February 2008) around 6.00 p.m.”
“One fishing boat pretending of being disabled sought the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy. Two small SLN fibre glass boats went to the rescue of the “disabled boat”. When the SLN boats were approaching the disabled boat, they were fired upon by the Indian boat and another Indian trawler which was prowling close by. SLN boats did not open retaliatory fire in order to avoid other Indian fishing boats being hit in the cross fire,” it added.
It is a common occurrence to observe Indian fishing boats in large numbers entering Sri Lankan territorial waters to engage in illegal poaching of fish. Illegal fishing is carried out by Indian fishermen at least three days a week depriving the Sri Lankan counterparts their rightful fish catch.
Sri Lanka Navy, which maintains a cordial relationship with the Indian Navy and its Coast Guard, often warns off Indian fishing boats entering Sri Lankan waters for illegal fishing, using megaphones and hailers. There have been many instances where Sri Lanka Navy has offered humanitarian assistance to the Indian fishermen in distress.
The Indian High Commission was apprised of the incident and appropriate action was requested to be taken to avoid a disastrous situation.
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