Indian Coast Guard releases fishermen and vessels

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry yesterday announced that 11 fishermen along with two fishing vessels which were in the custody of the Indian Coast Guard have been released.

They will return to Sri Lanka on August 6. These fishermen and their vessels were taken into custody in the seas off Andra Pradesh when they strayed into the Indian Maritime Boundary Lines (IMBL).

The two fishing vessels, Kaveesha Duwa 2, Natasha Duwa were seized for crossing the IMBL along with the 11 member crew on May 15 and 22 respectively.

These boats have left from Trincomalee fisheries harbour.

According to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Department there is no Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian custody.

According to sources, the fishermen were released following the intervention of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne and the government had to pay Rs. 925,000 as fines to release these fishermen.

Minister Senaratne said the government spends a lot of money for the welfare of fishermen and urged them not to cross the IMBL.