Navy arrests 22 Indian fishermen

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 22 Indian fishermen with five fishing trawlers in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar on Saturday, Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Commander K Warnakulasooriya said. Sri Lanka Navy vessels P 012 and P 215, attached to the North-Central Naval Command, took the vessels into custody with the assistance of the Northern Naval Command.

The arrest was made during a routine patrol in Sri Lankan waters at several locations.

The first detection was made at 9.30pm and the last around 2.15am. The arrested fishermen and their fishing boats were handed over to Mannar Police for investigations.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts routine patrols to protect Sri Lankan waters and its fisheries resources. Poachers and violators of the International Maritime Boundary Line are arrested and handed over to law enforcement authorities for legal action.