5.2.2008
By Ravin Edirisinghe
in Colombo
Coastal
Radars located in Talaimannar yesterday (04) around 6.30
pm detected more than 450 Indian trawlers in the seas
North of Talaimannar closer to the Iranathivu Island.
A small naval boat present in the area noted one fishing
boat making attempts to seize the attention the naval
units by pretending to be disabled. When two small naval
boats closed up to render assistance they were fired upon
by the Indian boat and another Indian Trawler which was
closer to the scene. The naval units avoid retaliating
due to the presence of a large number of Indian fishing
trawlers. Speaking to Asian Tribune Commander DKP Dassanayake;
the Naval Spokesman stated that one small boat of the
Navy sustained damages and they are conducting search
operations along the International Maritime Boundary Line
(IMBL).
The images of the Radar pictures taken from the Radars
located in Talaimannar area gives a clear idea about the
strength of fishing clusters as well how close they come
to shore areas despite repeated instructions issued to
Indian fishing authorities. In many instances such fishing
vessels have been taken into custody by the naval units
for illegal poaching in Sri Lankan waters depriving the
right of local fishermen's right to harvest in their waters.
The
Indian Navy along with its Coast Guard unit often warns
the Indian fishermen to avoid crossing the IMBL. Despite
these countless reminders, Indian trawlers used to cross
the IMBL.
Commander
DKP Dassanayake further stated that necessary action has
been already taken to inform the Indian High Commission
of the incident and have also requested to initiate necessary
action to avoid disastrous situations in the future.
With
all its major sea supply routes been cut off by the Navy
during the last two years, LTTE is today left with only
one supply route which run across the Palk Strait connecting
southern coastal areas in Indian and Vedithalathivu area.
The
effort put in by the naval patrol units in the sea areas
North of Talaimannar and in the northern seas to avoid
tigers transporting supplies have been hampered due to
the presence of large number of Indian fishing trawlers
in the Sri Lankan waters.
As
a legitimate force those onboard naval ships at no time
can open fire at fishing boats even though the naval units
are been fired upon by sea tigers mingling among these
Indian boats or at certain occasions by those sea tigers
who are onboard these trawlers .
Knowing
this fact sea tigers have used to reach Sri Lankan waters
along with fishing clusters or at certain times have forcefully
taken away the innocent fishermen's boats to accomplish
their task.
Unless
this situation is controlled without further delay (of
course with the assistance of the Indian authorities)
sea operations aiming at disturbing Tiger Sea supply lines
towards Vedithalathivu and near by areas will be not so
easy to achieve.
Courtesy - Asian
Tribune