India releases SL fishermen

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry recently announced that India released 15 Sri Lankan fishermen alleged to have violated the Indian maritime border.

The ministry said the legal proceedings with regard to the release of the fishermen were complete and they will be brought to the island soon. The fishermen had set to sea in three vessels from Negombo and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard arrested another group of 11 Sri Lankan fishermen alleged to have violated the Indian maritime border in Andhra Pradesh. The ministry said legal procedures were initiated with Indian state authorities to secure the fishermen's release. Meanwhile, nine Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and released by a Sri Lankan court arrived at an Indian coastguard camp in Mandapam Sunday. The fishermen arrested on June 19 by the Navy were released by the Kankasanthurei Magistrate Court after a warning.

The fishermen claimed they had strayed into Sri Lankan waters due to adverse weather conditions.

Large scale illegal poaching into Sri Lanka's waters by Indian fishermen, mainly from Tamil Nadu with trawlers, has become a serious threat to the livelihoods of Sri Lankan fishermen. Navy said it conducts routine patrols and apprehends poachers detected illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters to protect the country's fisheries resources.