International Desk
Sri Lanka has deported 17 Indian fishermen arrested for fishing in its waters. The Indian Mission gave this information here. Fishermen from both countries have often been arrested for entering each other's territorial waters unknowingly. “17 Indian fishermen have been successfully repatriated and are on their way to Tamil Nadu, India,” the Indian High Commission here said in a post on Friday.
The issue of fishermen has been a controversial topic in bilateral relations. According to an official release of the Sri Lanka Navy, the number of Indians arrested by the country's navy this year has increased to 413 while 55 boats have been seized.
Seventeen Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the island nation's territorial waters have been repatriated, according to the Indian Mission here. Fishermen from both countries are often arrested for unknowingly entering each other's territorial waters. “Homecoming! 17 Indian fishermen have been successfully repatriated and are on their way to Tamil Nadu, India,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a post on Friday.
The issue of fishermen is a contentious topic in bilateral relations, with Sri Lankan Navy personnel firing on Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan waters. Sri Lanka claims that Indian officials also adopt a similar attitude.
The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing area for fishermen from both countries, who are often arrested for unknowingly crossing into each other's territorial waters. According to an official release issued by the Sri Lanka Navy, the number of Indians arrested by the island nation's navy this year has risen to 413, and their trawlers seized to 55.
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