21 Indian Fishermen Detained By Sri Lankan Navy Repatriated

The Sri Lankan Navy in a statement in December reported that at least 33 Indian trawlers were seized and 220 Indian fishermen were apprehended in 2023.

Around 21 fishermen who were released from Sri Lanka prisons reached Chennai airport on Friday. The fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy for reportedly crossing Maritime Boundary Line in December. 

The Indian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka said, "21 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from #SriLanka to #Chennai a short while ago."

In 2023, the Sri Lankan Navy in a statement in December reported that at least 33 Indian trawlers and 220 Indian fishermen were apprehended. Notably, in December of last year, six Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and 25 other fishermen comprising 12 from Tamil Nadu and 13 from Puducherry, were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy in a separate incident.

These repeated arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have raised concerns for both the Central government and the Tamil Nadu government. In October last year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin conveyed his concerns to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He emphasized the need for the Centre to take appropriate measures to safeguard the traditional fishing rights of the state's anglers in the Palk Bay region.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai wrote to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar regarding the repeated arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The issue was also addressed during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe. This discussion took place during Wickremesinghe's visit to India in July last year.

"We also discussed the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter," PM Modi said after the meeting with his counterpart.