A collision between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat near Katchatheevu island, which caused the boat to capsize, left one fisherman dead and another missing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
The incident occurred approximately five nautical miles north of Katchatheevu Island. Of the four fishermen aboard the vessel, the remaining two have been rescued and safely transported to Kankesanthurai, the MEA said.
In response to the collision, the foreign ministry summoned the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest.
“We expressed our shock and anguish at the unfortunate loss of life. Our High Commissioner in Colombo will also raise the matter with the Sri Lankan government later today,” the MEA said in a statement.
“The Government of India has always emphasized the need to handle issues related to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner.”
Indian Consulate officials in Jaffna have been instructed to urgently provide all possible assistance to the survivors and the families of the affected fishermen. A search operation is currently underway to locate the missing individual, the MEA said.