DMK chief M Karunanidhi today asked the Centre to request Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to advise his Navy on the recent attacks on Indian fishermen and said such incidents may harm relations between the two countries.
The latest incident in which the Lankan Navy attacked some fishermen from Rameswaram fishing near Katchatheevu "has deeply saddened us", Karunanidhi said in a statement.
Stating that the incident had occurred the same day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was meeting Tamils in the island nation, he said more than 30 Sri Lankan Navy personnel came in five boats, attacked the fishermen and damaged fishing equipment.
"Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President try to solve the issue through talks, such attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy will cause strains on the relations between the two countries," he said.
"India should urge the Sri Lankan President to advice the Navy personnel in order to reach a solution in this issue," he said.
