Concern in Parl over SL PM’s remarks on Indian fishermen
19 March 2015 11:39 PM GMT
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and AIADMK leader M Thambidurai drew attention of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the statement of Wickramsinghe as soon as she made a statement in the House on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius.
Thambidurai said the Sri Lankan Prime Minister has repeated his ‘right to shoot’ remarks after the visit of Modi to the island nation.
The Sri Lankan leader had made a similar statement before Modi’s visit also, saying if Indian fishermen intrude into his country’s territorial waters, its fishermen have the right to shoot. Urging the government to take the matter “seriously”, he demanded a discussion on his remarks under Rule 193 (short duration discussion) which does not entail voting.
Several Congress and other members also rose to their feet to support AIADMK. Swaraj said Modi discussed problems faced by fishermen with the Sri Lankan leadership and pointed out that this is a complex issue involving livelihood and humanitarian concerns on both side.
The government is ready for a discussion on the statement of the Sri Lankan PM, she said.
Swaraj made her statement regarding Modi’s visit in Hindi. But when she referred to the Sri Lankan leg of the tour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told her to speak that part in English for the benefit of people living in South India and Swaraj obliged.
In Rajya Sabha, the issue was raised by Rajiv Shukla (Cong) who said Wickramasinghe has again made a provocative statement despite assurances by the External Affairs Minister and the Prime Minister’s visit to the country.
Thambidurai said the Sri Lankan Prime Minister has repeated his ‘right to shoot’ remarks after the visit of Modi to the island nation.
The Sri Lankan leader had made a similar statement before Modi’s visit also, saying if Indian fishermen intrude into his country’s territorial waters, its fishermen have the right to shoot. Urging the government to take the matter “seriously”, he demanded a discussion on his remarks under Rule 193 (short duration discussion) which does not entail voting.
Several Congress and other members also rose to their feet to support AIADMK. Swaraj said Modi discussed problems faced by fishermen with the Sri Lankan leadership and pointed out that this is a complex issue involving livelihood and humanitarian concerns on both side.
The government is ready for a discussion on the statement of the Sri Lankan PM, she said.
Swaraj made her statement regarding Modi’s visit in Hindi. But when she referred to the Sri Lankan leg of the tour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told her to speak that part in English for the benefit of people living in South India and Swaraj obliged.
In Rajya Sabha, the issue was raised by Rajiv Shukla (Cong) who said Wickramasinghe has again made a provocative statement despite assurances by the External Affairs Minister and the Prime Minister’s visit to the country.
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