Vaiko urges Centre to find permanent solution to fishermen issue in Palk Bay

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) urged the Union government to take immediate steps to secure the release of all Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities, along with their boats, and to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government to retrieve the Katchatheevu island.

According to a press release, Mr. Vaiko, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, drew the attention of the Centre to the increasing number of mid-sea arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy at Palk Bay. A total of 150 fishermen had been arrested since the beginning of this year, he said. Their families were facing severe financial distress and forced to pay hefty fines imposed by the Sri Lankan authorities to secure the release of their relatives, Mr. Vaiko said.

The Sri Lankan Navy continues to act aggressively, violating the traditional rights of the Tamil Nadu fishermen. To prevent such arrests in the future and to protect the rights of the fishing community, the Union government should find a permanent solution to this issue, he said.

Further, the Union government should exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to provide compensation to the families of those killed by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last 10 years and to those whose boats were damaged, he added.