Looking for a humane solution
The agreement between India and Sri Lanka on establishing a Joint Working Group on fisheries is a
small step forward in resolving the dispute between fishermen of both countries. In fact, such a mechanism had
been in place until a few years ago to address problems that arose whenever fishermen from Tamil Nadu were
arrested by Sri Lanka. The points agreed on are important: a hotline between the Coast Guards of both countries,
a meeting of the JWG once in three months, and a meeting of the fisheries ministers every six months. Welcome
too is the commitment that there would be no violence or loss of life of fishermen. These measures are useful in
getting Indian fishermen or their boats released from custody, but they are unlikely to have any immediate
impact on the livelihood crisis facing the fishermen of northern Sri Lanka. Such a crisis may grip Tamil Nadu
fishermen too one day, after the fishery resources in the Palk Bay are exhausted. The real issue is how long
trawlers from Tamil Nadu will continue to fish in Sri Lankan territorial waters, and how soon bottom trawling is
ended. The official statement after the talks between the foreign ministers refers to ―expediting the transition
towards ending the practice of bottom trawling at the earliest‖. An agreement on this is crucial, but in the
absence of a time frame there remains a question mark over a solution emerging.
Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen are firm on an immediate end to all incursions and are against seized Indian boats
being released without legal process, even though they agree that the arrested fishermen should be released. In
talks between representatives of fishermen held a few days earlier, Tamil Nadu fishermen had asked for a threeyear
phase-out period for their trawlers, and a deal under which they would fish for 85 days a year until then.
This was rejected outright by the Sri Lankan side, which holds that the Indian vessels cause serious economic
and ecological damage. One way of preventing boundary transgression is to find a livelihood alternative for
Tamil Nadu fishermen. Equipping them for deep sea fishing is an option. For now, Tamil Nadu should show
greater understanding of the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen, who are economically weaker and yet to
fully recover from a devastating war, and agree to a more reasonable phase-out period. Sri Lanka, then, can look
at a licensing system under which fishermen from both sides can fish on specified days using sustainable
methods and permissible equipment. It is important that all sides recognise that there is a humanitarian
dimension to the issue.
1.) What is the main content discussed in the above passage?
a) Agreement on sharing the fishery resource at Palk Bay on the welfare of Northern Sri Lankan fisher men.
b) MoU on cultivating the fishery resource available at their sea borders.
c) Banning the incursion of fishermen on cross borders.
d) The agreement between both country officials regarding fisher men's welfare and their fishing. e) e)None of These
2.) What does the line " expediting the transition towards ending the practice of bottom trawling at the earliest" states?
a) accepting the bottom trawling practice with its earlier changes.
b) Rushing up the changes made to stop the bottom trawling as soon as possible.
c) to make changes in bottom trawling practice in a faster manner.
d) To put end to the bottom trawling practice at its earliest stage.
e) ending the practice of bottom trawling as it leads to many changes.
3.) The Joint Working Group establish between India and Sri Lanka is for?
a) Trading between both countries fisher men.
b) To make fishermen as supporting gaurds in coastal areas to avoid illegal activities.
c) to resolve the problem of capturing of Tamil Nadu fishermen boats by Sri Lankan guards.
d) in order to safeguard both country fishermen from sea pirates. e) none of the above
4.) Which of the following is suggested as a solution in above passage?
i) allowing licensing system for each fishermen for a specific days
ii) deciding the fishermen of both countries not to cross their respective countries' coastal borders.
iii) Agreement of sharing the revenue between both country fishermen
a) Both i and ii
b) only iii
c) only i
d) both i and iii
e) All the above
5.) The main reason behind rejecting Tamil Nadu fishers phase-out period demand by Sri Lankan tamil fishers?
a) the Tamil Nadu fishers has well equipped with tools for fishing.
b) as the Tamil Nadu fishermen were capturing their fishery resource.
c) as the Tamil Nadu fishermen's boat affecting their economic and ecological standards.
d) As the phase-out period is for more than 5 years.
e)None of the above.
6) What is the effect of agreement made on JWG over the northern Sri Lankan fishermen?
a) it may not make any immediate effect on their livelihood problems.
b) It may lead to their economic development.
c) it can help to expand their fishing zone.
d) It helps them to maintain smooth relationship with Tamil Nadu fishermen.
e) it makes them to hold the rights of decision making on phase-out period.
7) What is the remedy incurred in the passage for the safeguard of basic needs of Tamil Nadu fishermen?
a) Suggesting them alternate areas for fishing.
b) making arrangements for deep sea fishing with required tools.
c) Supporting them financially on Half-yearly basis.
d) allowing them to expand their fishing zone.
e) None of the above.
8.) What is the synonyms of the word "permissible" ?
a) allowable
b) durable
c) strong
d) illicit
e) Supporting
9.) What is the synonyms of the word "incursions" ?
a) Expanding on
b) Capturing
c) discounts
d) advance into
e) none of the above
10.) What is the antonym of the word "expediting" ?
a) speed up b) Hold c) resume d) pause
e) slow down
11.) What is the antonym of the word "plight" ?
a) settled condition
b) comfort condition
c) Rich status
d) Unpleasant condition
e) None of the above
Answers:
1).d
2).b
3).c
4). c
5).c
6).a
7).b
8).a
9).d
10).e
11).b
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