Sri Lanka denies media reports

In the run-up to the first ministerial meeting on fishermen scheduled in Colombo on Monday, Sri Lanka has denied media reports that it proposed nationalisation of fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen.

This clarification was provided by representatives of the neighbouring country on Saturday during a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries, according to a source.

However, on the issue of the release of boats and fishermen, there was no commitment from Sri Lanka, the source said.India’s Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Union Minister of State for Shipping and Road Transport Pon. Radhakrishnan are expected to attend Monday’s meeting, another official says. (The Hindu)