Fishermen to return

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry said 16 fishermen and three vessels that were in Indian custody will return to Sri Lanka tomorrow. Indian Coast Guards will handover the fishermen and vessels to the Sri Lanka Navy at Kankesanthurai.

According to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department, those fishermen were arrested by Indian Coast Guards in Tamil Nadu territorial waters on May 11. They had left the Dewundara Fisheries Harbour in vessels Nanduni 1, Lakshani 3 and Minushi 1. According to sources, 62 fishermen and 12 fishing vessels are in Indian custody.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has made arrangements to rescue the fishermen and vessels.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne urged fishermen not to trespass Indian territorial waters for fishing.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Department has to spend a large sum of money to rescue fishermen from Indian custody. If fishermen follow rules and regulations, that money can be used for welfare activities of the fisheries community, the minister said.