India, SLanka on joint-mechanism to check terror

Colombo, Mar 21: Sri Lanka today claimed that India has agreed ''in principle to work out a joint-mechanism'' to ensure the safety of Indian fishermen and to combat illegal activities in the Palk Straits.

Sri Lanka's spokesman on Defence matters and Minister of Foreign Employment Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters here that the agreement between the two neighbouring countries was the outcome of the just-concluded visit to India by Sri Lanka's Foreign Minster Rohitha Bogollagama.

Asked whether such agreement would include Sri Lanka's call for 'joint-patrolling', Mr Rambukwella said the two governments would soon be working out a comprehensive programme considering all these aspects.

''All what I can say at the moment is that it would be a Government-to-Government understanding,'' Minister Rambukwella said, avoiding to make reference to the word 'joint patrolling'.

Noting the move by the Indian Coast Guard and Tamil Nadu Police to launch Coast Guard joint-patrols in the Palk Bay, in order to carry on surveillance against terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy in the region, President's office here said in a statement yesterday that ''Sri Lanka has already proposed that India and Sri Lanka conduct joint-patrols to thwart terrorism and piracy in these waters, particularly with regard to LTTE activity''.

UNI