P.Sivaramakrishnan BBC Tamil Service

	Canisius Fernanando

Warnakulasooriya canisius Fernanando the treasurer of the Federation of fishermen association was visiting the jailed Sri Lankan fishermen who were detained there after getting due permission from the state government.

He was shot dead by a jail warden in October .2007 when he tried to enter the jail through the main gate.

The government of Tamil Nadu ordered an official enquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer who concluded that Fernando was shot dead unlawfully and recommended that criminal proceedings be launched against the jail warden.

A public interest litigation petition was filed in the High court seeking compensation to the family of the slain fisherman from Sri Lanka.

Based on the findings conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu the High court has ordered the compensation to his family through the Sri Lankan embassy in India.

The lawyer Sahayam Philomin Raj told the BBC Tamil Service that they took up the case after a church functionary from Sri Lanka requested them to take up the case. As such the lawyer who is also a pastor in the Jesuits society in Madurai took up the case.

Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka who often cross the international maritime boundaries are detained in India or Sri Lanka as the case may be.