Call to probe India union death

Mr Fernando was shot in unclear circumstances

Sri Lankan trades unionists have urged their government and India to investigate the killing of one of their leading representatives in India.

Warnakulasuriyage Canisius Fernando was shot dead on Friday inside Madurai jail in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

He had gone to meet three Sri Lankan fishermen who were being held for unauthorised entry into Indian waters.

Indian officials say the guard who shot Mr Fernando has been suspended and the matter is being investigated.

A Roman Catholic priest who attended a post mortem in Colombo, Sherard Jayawardena, said only a judicial probe by both countries would clarify the circumstances of his death.

Sri Lankan fishermen often stray into Indian waters

In a statement issued on Monday, the All Ceylon Fisher Peoples' Trade Union (ACFPTU) said that both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments should take responsibility over Mr Fernando's killing.

The union also urged Sri Lanka's government to pay compensation to his family.

"Canisius Fernando had to intervene as a result of the Sri Lankan government's inactivity to do enough to get these fishermen released," Mr Jayawardene - who also represents the ACFPTU - told the BBC Sinhala service.

The Sri Lankan government has denied the accusation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bahila said that the government had been "doing their utmost" to get the fishermen released.

Mr Bahila said was too early to decide whether the Sri Lankan government would pay compensation to Mr Fernando's family.

Indian human rights organisations say that it is up to the Tamil Nadu government to pay compensation.