Sri Lanka has formally expressed its concerns to India following the death of a Sri Lankan navy sailor during an operation to seize an Indian fishing boat accused of poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
According to an informed source, the incident occurred when ten Indian fishermen were allegedly engaged in illegal fishing on Monday.
The Sri Lankan Navy reported that a senior sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries and subsequently died due to "the aggressive manoeuvres of the Indian trawler, resisting its seizure."
As a result, the arrested Indian fishermen will be charged with the death of the Navy sailor, authorities stated.
Sri Lanka conveyed its protest to India through diplomatic channels, though at a lower level. Niluka Kadurugamuwa, the Director General - South Asia of the Foreign Ministry, summoned a third-ranking official from the Indian High Commission to express the country's concerns.
Typically, such protests would involve the Head of Mission being summoned by the Foreign Minister.
This incident has further strained the relations between the two neighboring countries, highlighting the ongoing issue of illegal fishing in disputed waters.
