20 Lankan fishermen to be released

14 May 2011 06:34 am

A group of twenty Lankan fishermen with four trawlers in Indian custody will be handed over to the Fisheries Ministry on Monday in Thalaimannar by the Indian Coast Guard.

The fishermen were arrested by the Indian authorities on April 3 and April 25 respectively, the Fisheries Ministry said. The fishermen are residents of Beruwala, Trincomalee and Puttalam. 

Their release came after prolonged government to government negotiations. According to the Minsitry there are 31 Lankan fishermen and six trawlers in Indian custody. Steps will be taken in the near future to release them as well.

Instances of Indian fishermen entering the 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 Indian- Sri Lankan Maritime Boundary or if their found stranded. (Supun Dias)