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26.10.2008
Keeping in mind the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions
of the fishermen issue, India and Sri Lanka have agreed
to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide
Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen crossing the International
Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). This was agreed to during
the visit to New Delhi on 26th October 2008 of Honourable
Basil Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and Senior Adviser
to the President of Sri Lanka.
As part of these practical arrangements, following the designation
by the Government of Sri Lanka of sensitive areas along
the Sri Lankan coastline and their intimation to the Government
of India, Indian fishing vessels will not venture into these
identified sensitive areas. Further, there will be no firing
on Indian fishing vessels.
It
was agreed that Indian fishing vessels would carry valid
registration/permit and the fishermen would have on person
valid identity cards issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
India
and Sri Lanka have agreed to continue with their discussions,
initiated in 2005, on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding
on development and cooperation in the field of fisheries.
New Delhi
26th October, 2008
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