India Lodges Strong Protest After Fishermen Injured In Lankan Navy Firing 

India on Thursday lodged a strong protest with Sri Lanka over the firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island on Tuesday morning. The Foreign Minister said that out of 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries during the firing and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Three other fishermen received also minor injuries and have been treated for the same.

“Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Minister said that the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in the morning and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government.

“Government of India has always emphasized the need to treat issues pertaining to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two Governments in this regard must be strictly observed,” the statement said.