Trawler operators released

Suraj A Bandara

Two trawler operators detained in the Maldives due to illegal fishing will return today.

Earlier eight fishermen including these two trawler operators were arrested by the Maldivian police for the violation of fishing laws.

However after initial legal procedures six fishermen were released and two skippers were detained since they failed to pay the fines imposed by the Maldivian Government.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry through the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry took measures to get the two released before they were sentenced.

They had been jailed since the fines imposed by the courts were not paid. Due to the diplomatic initiative between the two countries the Maldivian Government had agreed to release the two men without fines.

The trawler operators were residents of Beruwala and they were engaged in the fishing in two fishing boats in the Maldivian territorial waters when they got caught to the Maldivian sea protection police.