India releases 15 Lankan fishermen

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Fifteen Sri Lankan fishermen and three fishing boats seized by Indian Coast Guards for violating International Indian Maritime Boundaries in the seas off Tamil Nadu have been released by Tamil Nadu State.

Tamil Nadu State Authorities released the fishermen and boats following direct intervention of Fisheries and Aquatic Development Minister Rajitha Senaratna. The released boats had left Kalpitiya and Negombo shores.

They are Ramani Raj 04, Kumudumali and Chamili Duwa.

The fishermen were released as a result of negotiations Minister Senaratna had with the Tamil Nadu authorities, Ministry sources said.

The released fishermen will be brought back to Sri Lanka shortly with their vessels.

According to reports from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Chennai, they have arranged to send another group of 21 Sri Lankan fishermen and four fishing boats released by Tami Nadu Government, as soon as they get repatriation orders from Indian Foreign Affairs Ministry, sources said.

They will be sent to Sri Lanka on August11, the sources added.