Coastal states, like Sri Lanka, possess significant maritime territories and the rights to manage their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) in accordance with international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a framework for this. However, several challenges and concerns arise, particularly in the context of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, its maritime resources, and regional dynamics.
Sovereign Rights and UNCLOS
Sri Lanka, in line with UNCLOS, enjoys sovereign rights within its EEZ, including exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing both living and non-living resources. This includes conducting marine scientific research. India has emphasized the importance of upholding UNCLOS and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of coastal states.
Marine Scientific Research (MSR)
While Sri Lanka has sovereign rights for MSR within its EEZ, there are limitations to its capability to carry out such research effectively. Collaboration with suitably equipped countries is often necessary to ensure the quality and scope of research required for national interests. Restricting MSR to only two days can deprive Sri Lanka of vital information.
Exploitation of Resources
One of the critical challenges Sri Lanka faces is the illegal entry of thousands of Indian trawlers into its EEZ, resulting in the exploitation and destruction of marine resources. The scale of these incursions and the damage caused by bottom trawling is substantial. This not only affects Sri Lanka’s resources but also the livelihoods of its fishers.
The Role of Indian Trawlers
Indian trawlers enter Sri Lanka’s waters primarily due to the depletion of resources in their own EEZ. These incursions are not merely accidental drifts but a deliberate overfishing effort. This poses a significant challenge to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, security, and resources.
Legal Framework
Sri Lanka’s existing legal provisions are inadequate to address these collective violations. Current laws mainly focus on individuals and their fishing crafts, failing to hold those who sponsor and finance these acts accountable. Therefore, there is a pressing need to review and revise these legal provisions.
Anti-Narcotic Command
Establishing an Anti-Narcotic Command is a crucial step in addressing drug-related issues in Sri Lanka. However, this alone cannot combat the vast scale of Indian trawler incursions and their impact on security.
The Need for Bilateral Engagement
Sri Lanka’s primary approach to addressing illegal trawler incursions should be through bilateral engagement with India, rather than dealing with the state of Tamil Nadu. The Indian government needs to acknowledge its responsibilities and address these issues.
Seeking Alternatives
If India is genuinely committed to respecting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, it should invest in alternative livelihoods for Tamil Nadu’s fishing community, such as deep-sea fishing. This would prevent the ongoing violations of Sri Lanka’s EEZ.