COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Wednesday claimed that India has agreed with it in `principle to work out a joint mechanism' to safeguard the interests of the fisher folk community in the Pak Straits/Bay as well as tackle `activities related to terrorism.'

Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella made the announcement at a news conference here on Wednesday. In response to a question, the Minister said the agreement was the outcome of the just concluded visit of Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama to New Delhi from March 18 to 20.

On whether it would involve joint patrolling of the seas by the Indian and Sri Lanka navies, Mr. Rambukwella said the `mechanisms' were yet to be worked out. "All I can say at the moment is it would be a Government-to-Government understanding."

However, the press statement issued by Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry on the visit of Mr. Bogollagama to New Delhi has no reference to such an agreement. It merely said the Minister told Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee that the current time was opportune for both Governments to `intensify effective measures' in the best interest of the fishing communities on both sides of the Palk Straits/Bay.

It said Mr. Bogollagama apprised his Indian counterpart that rigorous inquiries had been conducted in response to the recent reports alleging the involvement of the Sri Lanka Navy in incidents affecting Indian fishermen and it was established that the reports were totally unfounded.

"At the same time, it was likely that parties with a vested interest would attempt to instigate in the future too such motivated reports", the release quoted the Minister as telling Mr. Mukherjee and emphasising the need for effective measures by both the countries.

In a separate press release the Presidential Secretariat referred to a statement made by Defence Minister, A.K. Antony that joint patrolling by the Indian and Sri Lankan navies had been suggested to keep "trouble-makers" at bay.

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