Sri Lankan Fishermen allowed in Maldivian waters

New Maritime agreements have been signed with the Maldives to enable Sri Lankan fishermen to travel to the Arabian Sea via the Maldivian waters. According to Sri Lankan Daily Mirror, During his recent visit to the Maldives Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera secured this agreement as well as others related to Maldives-Sri Lanka cooperation.

According to Daily Mirror, Sri Lankan Fishermen, who journey to the Arabian Sea, generally have to take a longer route to avoid trespassing onto Maldivian waters. “Those who travel from the west of India have to take a longer route,” Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera said. The new agreement provides that if authorities are informed in advance of a Sri Lankan vessel approaching Maldivian waters, safe passage through to the Arabian Sea could be ensured. “If those traveling could inform our Embassy in the Maldives by Fax or E-mail 48 hours in advance, then arrangements could be made for them to travel through Maldivian waters,” he explained. He added that this would save vessels time and fuel costs.

The Deputy Minister stated that so long as this communication was made from the harbor of departure or via UHF radio while at sea to either the Ministry of External Affairs in Sri Lanka or the Lankan Embassy in Maldives, safe passage could be organized. However the agreement stipulated that fishing in Maldivian waters is prohibited.

The Sri Lankan Embassy was also given land for a chancery in the diplomatic enclave. The only other country to be given this treat is India.

The Sri Lankan Minister met with a number of high profile members of the Maldivian government and secured the release of seven confiscated Sri Lankan vessels. The Minister was also able to appoint a contact person to intervene in the case of Lankan vessels being in distress or accused of the Maldivian authorities of poaching. A number of economic and social agreements were also discussed at high profile meetings attended by the Minister.