The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 18 fishermen reportedly over poaching charges while fishing midsea on Tuesday evening. The Lankan officials also seized two Indian poaching trawlers in the Lankan waters during a special operation, as per the Sri Lankan Navy.
"The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters on the evening of January 16, 2024. The operation led to the seizure of 02 Indian trawlers, with 18 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar," the Sri Lankan Navy said in an official release.
The 18 arrested Indian fishermen and 2 trawlers were taken to the Thalpadu Pier in Mannar.
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As part of their continued efforts, the North Central Naval Command used its Inshore Patrol Craft to drive away a group of Indian poaching trawlers when they were spotted fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters on January 16. During this operation, naval personnel apprehended 2 Indian poaching trawlers with 18 Indian fishermen, who were still in the waters near Mannar island, according to the Sri Lankan Navy.
Later, the Navy said that they would be handed over to the Talaimannar Fisheries Inspector for further legal action.
The arrest by Sri Lankan Navy was raised in discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the latter's visit to India in July last year. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take prompt action for the release of 12 fishermen who were apprehended by Sri Lanka while fishing near the island nation.
Earlier, 12 fishermen were detained and three trawlers were seized in the state on Saturday.