External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, the government attaches highest priority to well-being, safety and security of Indian fishermen. She said, government has consistently taken up issues relating to apprehension of Indian fishermen with Sri Lanka through diplomatic channels to ensure that Indian fishermen are treated in a humane manner. She made a statement in both the Houses of Parliament over the death of a fisherman allegedly due to firing by Sri Lankan Navy on 6th of this month in Palk Bay. <br/><br/>Mrs Swaraj said, India took up the matter urgently with Sri Lanka and expressed its strong concern over the incident. She said, the Sri Lankan side however denied the involvement of their Navy in the firing incident. She said, Indian High Commissioner personally spoke to Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Navy Commander on this matter. She said, however, the Sri Lankan Navy maintained that their patrol boat was not authorised to open fire at any point on the Indian fisherman even if they transgressed in to Sri Lankan waters. <br/><br/>Mrs Swaraj also informed the House that Sri Lanka has assured all possible help in investigating the incident. She also said, India has secured the release of 1045 Indian fishermen in custody of Sri Lanka in 2014, 375 in 2015, 333 in 2016 and 51 in 2017. Of the rest of the 86 fishermen who were under the custody of the Island nation, seventy seven have recently been freed and eight more are on their way back home.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said, the government attaches highest priority to well-being, safety and security of Indian fishermen. She said, government through diplomatic channels has consistently taken up issues relating to apprehension of Indian fishermen with Sri Lanka to ensure that Indian fishermen are treated in a humane manner. <br/><br/>Making a statement in the Lok Sabha over the death of fisherman allegedly due to firing by Sri Lankan Navy on 6th of this month in Palk Bay , Mrs Swaraj said, India took up the matter urgently with Sri Lanka and expressed its strong concern over the incident. She said, the Sri Lankan side however, denied the involvement of their Navy in the firing incident. <br/><br/>She said, Indian High Commissioner personally spoke to Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Navy Commander on this matter. She said, however, the Sri Lankan Navy maintained that their patrol boat was not authorised to open fire at any point on the Indian fisherman even if they transgressed in Sri Lankan waters. <br/><br/>Mrs Swaraj also informed the House that Sri Lanka has reassured that all possible action will be taken in cooperation with the relevant Indian authorities to investigate the incident.. She also said, India has secured the release of 1045 Indian fishermen in custody of Sri Lanka in 2014, 375 in 2015 , 333 in 2016 and 51 in 2017.