Colombo
Sri Lankan Navy arrested 12 Indian fishermen and seized their trawler for allegedly poaching in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. The incident occurred off the coast of Point Pedro, Jaffna, in the Northern Province on Sunday. This latest arrest brings the total number of Indian fishermen apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities this year to 462.
According to an official statement, the arrested fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai Harbour and will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for further legal proceedings. The Sri Lankan Navy reported that, in total, it has detained 62 Indian fishing boats and 462 fishermen in its waters in 2024, with all cases being referred for legal action.
The ongoing issue of fishermen being arrested has created tension between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in the Palk Strait, where incidents of gunfire directed at Indian fishermen have occurred. The Palk Strait serves as a vital fishing ground for both countries. To address these recurring tensions, the Sri Lankan Fisheries Ministry has announced that a 12-member Indian delegation is set to arrive on Tuesday for discussions aimed at finding solutions to the issue of fishing rights and border violations between the two nations.
