Lankan fishermen in Indian custody

Ridma Dissanayake

Twenty one Sri Lankan fishermen were taken into custody and their four vessels seized by the Indian Coast Guard on Saturday. The fishermen were arrested near the Tamil Nadu coast while crossing the Indian maritime border.

Niranjala 01, Thejana 02, Priyan 04 and Kalani are the four fishing vessels. Three had left from Devundara fisheries harbour and Kalani had left from the Kudawella fisheries harbour.

There are 31 Sri Lankan fishermen and six fishing vessels in Indian custody at present. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne is discussing with the External Affairs Ministry while the Sri Lankan High Commission is also conducting discussions with the Indian authorities to ensure their early release.

Minister Senaratne had ordered the Fisheries Department to take immediate action to bring the fishermen to Sri Lanka.