It is unfortunate that in the bilateral meeting of the fishermen leaders of both the countries held on 02.11.2016 due to your hard effort, did not yield the expected result and no decisions were arrived at. Later, against the advice of your physician and against your ill health, you had been kind to participate in the higher level meeting between the external affairs ministers and the concerned bureaucrats on 05-11-2016. We are thankful to you for it, though the meeting did not reach any viable solution. We hope and pray that you have well recovered after the surgery and that you regain energy to work for the welfare of the people. The following is what is said in the joint statement of the bilateral high level talks between the two external affairs ministers on 05-11-2016:- They agreed on the setting up of a Joint Working Group on Fisheries to meet every three months and a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months. The delegations would include representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Coast Guards and Navies of both countries. The 1st Ministerial Meeting would be held on January 02, 2017 in Colombo. The Terms of Reference for the Joint Working Group (JWG) would include (i) expediting the transition towards ending the practice of bottom trawling at the earliest, (ii) working out the modalities for theStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handing over of apprehended fishermen, and (iii) ascertaining possibilities for cooperation on patrolling. The issue of the release of detained fishing vessels will be discussed at the first JWG meeting. We request you to kindly make necessary decision in the on coming meeting regarding release of the 121 boats of the fishermen incarcerated by Sri Lanka. We wish that your good self provide special attention in this issue and release of the boats. We are deeply concerned about the Hon’ble Madam’s health who have great concern for the welfare of the Indian fishermen. Please, Take care of your health Hon’ble Madam. With Warm egards, M. Ilango.