India has strongly conveyed to Sri Lanka that the use of force against its fishermen cannot be justified under any circumstances, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament on Thursday.

Making statements in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha against the backdrop of the killing of a Tamil fisherman in Palk Bay by alleged firing by the Sri Lankan Navy recently, Swaraj said the issue had been taken up with Sri Lanka at the highest level.

“I will again like to reassure the honourable members that the government accords the highest priority to promote the well-being, safety and security of our fishermen. We have strongly conveyed to Sri Lanka that the use of force cannot be justified under any circumstances,” she said. Sri Lanka had denied the involvement of its navy, she added.