India releases 60 Lankan fishermen
Shirley Wijesinghe
Sixty Sri Lankan fishermen along with 12 fishing trawlers arrested
for violating Indian territorial waters and detained under the custody
of Indian Coastal Protection Force have been released through the
diplomatic intervention, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry source
said.
They were taken into custody on April 27 and 29 by the Indian Coastal
Protection Force.
The decision to release fishermen was taken following discussions
between Indian High Commission and officials of the Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources Ministry.
Investigations by Indian authorities clarified that Sri Lankan
fishermen had violated Indian territorial waters unknowingly and they
were genuine fishermen.
Arrangements have been made to bring these fishermen to Sri Lanka
from India. They will arrive here today.
Minister Felix Perera appealed to the fishing community to refrain
from straying from the Sri Lanka territorial waters which could develop
into a problem between the two countries. |
