The Sri Lankan Navy denied Indian media reports that it had attacked fifty fishermen with stones and bottles, fired into the air, cut-up the fishing nets and damaged 30 boats off the Island of Kachchativu.

Indian media reported that one of the boats had sunk after it rammed into another in the rush to escape. However, the five fishermen on board were rescued by others.

It said the injured fishermen were admitted to private hospitals in Rameswaram while one man who suffered leg injuries was transferred to the Ramanathapuram Government Hospital.

According to the Indian media the 50 fishermen were part of a group of 2,000 who had put out to sea last night in 400 boats. (Chaturanga Pradeep)