Indian fishermen rescued

Due to adverse weather conditions in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, seven fishing trawlers with 29 Indian fishermen had run aground or got damaged in Sri Lankan waters and have been rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate General in Jaffna have worked closely with the concerned local authorities to secure their immediate release and welfare, said the official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs of the Indian government in response to a question regarding the Indian fishermen currently stranded in Sri Lanka due to adverse weather conditions.

The statement added, "the fishermen are accommodated in Jaffna by the Consulate, which has also arranged food, clothing, medical attention and other basic amenities for them.

"The Sri Lanka government have agreed to fully cooperate in ensuring the repatriation of the fishermen to India as soon as weather conditions improve. Efforts are also being made for salvage boats from India to travel to Sri Lanka to repair the damaged boats and bring them back, if possible."