The bill has been approved by the Sri Lankan Cabinet and that it provides for stringent penalties against fishing in the sovereign territory of that country, he said. It is widely reported in the media that the Bill was introduced in the Lankan Parliament on January 24, he said. Its provisions were aimed at Indian Fishing Trawlers from Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu fishermen, as well as their fishing gear, while they are peacefully fishing in their traditional fishing waters of Palk Bay, Palaniswami said. This move has created widespread resentment and panic among the state fishermen, especially among those fishing in the Palk Bay, he said. He said the Palk Bay "is the historic and traditional fishing area of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu."

Source: Sunday Times January 26, 2018 04:40 UTC