Fishers relieved after Lanka win World Cup

RAMESWARAM: Sri Lanka's win over India in the ICC T20 World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday has come as a relief for the fisher folk in Rameswaram. They are not unpatriotic, but was worried about the repercussions at mid-sea if India had trounced the island country in the final.
It is not without any reason or precedent that the fishermen community here didn't want an Indian win.After India won the 2011 ICC 50-over World Cup defeating Sri Lanka a few scary incidents were reported on the seas bordering the two South-Asian countries. Four fishermen from Rameswaram were killed mid-sea under mysterious circumstances on April 2, 2011 after the final. The fishermen community here alleged that they were attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy who could not bear the bitter outcome of the final.
"We were very anxious about the outcome of the match on Sunday because of that incident," said J Ashton, a boat owner at Rameswaram. Ashton's family members said the whole fishing community is scared if an India-Sri Lanka match is on. Fishermen recalled earlier incidents when the Lankan Navy turned spiteful when their country lost an occasional match to India.
S Emerit, fishermen leader at Rameswaram, explained their predicament. "We may be called unpatriotic but others can't understand our fear if India wins. We will face the consequences at mid-sea on Monday," he said.
With hardly three more fishing days left for the 45-day fishing ban period starting from April 15, fishermen are also worried about loss of income. "There are not many days left for the ban. We are waiting for the second round of talks between the two countries. We want to end the season on a peaceful note and the result of the T20 final is significant for us," Emerit added.