'Need more evidence to prove that Lanka behind Indian fishermen deaths'

During the 30-minute meeting, Peiris and Krishna agreed on the early convening of the joint working group to discuss the issue of fishermen.

Peiris maintained that his government's initial investigation had shown that its navy was not involved in the death of the Indian fishermen and wanted more evidence, if any, to prove otherwise so that the matter could be looked into in that context.

India has already furnished some evidence and expressed readiness to give more depending on availability, which is expected from Tamil Nadu.

"The external affairs minister conveyed India's deep concern over the death of two Indian fishermen," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash told mediapersons after the meeting. Both the sides agreed that force should not be resorted to, Prakash said.

Peiris, who described the issue as a human one, told Krishna that a thorough investigation was underway. The Lankan foreign ,inister told reporters that the two countries were discussing how the issue could be dealt with in "a pragmatic way and I think a multi-pronged approach that has been conceived by two governments will yield a sensible, pragmatic solution which will endure."