The Sri Lankan government is busy with other more pressing issues, the Director General of Fisheries, Nimal Hettiarachchi has told the New Indian Express.

“Fisheries Minister Dilip Wedaarachchi had to seek postponement because the government is busy implementing its post-Presidential election 100-day program and with getting the European Union’s ban on buying fish from Lanka lifted,” Hettiarachchi has explained.

“A fresh date for the talks will be fixed, taking into consideration mutual convenience,” the official has said.

Asked what line the Lankan government would take at the talks, Hettiarachchi said that the North Lankan fishermen want the government to tell India firmly that Lanka will not allow Indian fishing vessels to cross the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). They want a guarantee from India that Indian fishermen will abjure the use of trawlers and other destructive methods of fishing.

“But the Indians want time to switch over to other fishing grounds or take to other methods of fishing. The Lankan government feels this could be discussed,” Hettiarachchi has added.