47 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Released By Sri Lanka Return Home

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy yet again arrested six fishermen for allegedly crossing IMBL in the wee hours of Saturday.

The fishermen released by Sri Lanka | Credit: ANI

Chennai: Around 47 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for reportedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) were released by the island nation after the intervention of the Centre on Friday. The released Tamil Nadu fishermen arrived in Chennai by flight and have started returning home in Rameswaram, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai. 

According to ANI, the fishermen who ventured into the sea from Rameswaram, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in December 2021. In December alone, 56 fishermen were arrested and their nine boats were seized.

Later, the SL authorities produced them before a Sri Lankan court and imprisoned them. 

In this backdrop, the Tamil Nadu government wrote to Union External Affairs Minister demanding his intervention into the issue. 

Following this, the Ministry intervened and based on the timely action the Sri Lankan court released 56 Tamil Nadu fishermen in January. 

All the fishermen were sent to the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka. However, it was found that many of the fishermen were affected with COVID-19 so all of them were kept in SL for treatment. 

However, Tamil Nadu yet again informed the Central government and demanded to bring back the TN fishermen. Based on the request, the fishermen who tested negative for the virus were sent back home on February 10. 

The remaining fishermen were sent back home on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy has yet again arrested six fishermen for allegedly crossing IMBL in the wee hours of Saturday.