Thirteen Indian fishermen were taken into custody this morning along with their two fishing trawlers in the seas, 14 nautical miles north east of Pulmudai, Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

They were arrested by a naval patrol team of the Eastern Naval Command after observing the unwarranted movement towards the sea and for wilfully trespassing on Sri Lankan waters.

The two fishing trawlers were brought to the Trincomalee Port and the fishermen were handed over to the Trincomalee Harbour police.

Commander Warnakulasuriya said that the Navy conducts routine patrols in Sri Lankan waters and strict vigilance is maintained to ensure the compliance of the country’s maritime laws.

Instances of Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters have become frequent, causing problem for both governments mainly for allegedly poaching in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Sri Lankan fishermen are also arrested by the Indian authorities for crossing the India-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary or if they are found stranded. (Supun Dias)