20 Indian fishermen arrested for poaching in SL waters

Twenty Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters in the seas off Delft Island and Thalaimannar yesterday.

The Navy said the fishermen were arrested along with three fishing trawlers during a special operation.

Accordingly, nine fishermen onboard two fishing trawlers were taken into custody in the seas off the Delft Island. The rest of the 11 fishermen and their trawler was arrested in the sea area of Thalaimannar.

The Navy said the fishermen were brought to the naval bases SLNS 'Elara' in Kareinagar and SLNS ‘Buwaneka’ in Nachchikuda following the arrest.

They said they would be handed over to the fisheries inspectors of respective areas for further investigation.