Nineteen fishermen released

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry said the 19 fishermen who were in Indian custody have been released and will return to Sri Lanka shortly. Another five fishermen also in Indian custody are to be released within the next two months.

According to ministry sources these fishermen were taken into custody by the Indian Coast Guard with their vessels for crossing the International Maritime Border (IMB). They were taken into custody in the Orissa region in India.

The five vessels J P Marine 01, J P Marine 02, Matara Amma, Salkan and Ann Merry are also in Indian custody.