Twenty nine Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy last night in two separate actions. According to the officials of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, 20 fishermen and their three boats were held by the Island Navy near Puttalam in Palk Bay late last night on charges of violating the maritime boundary and poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Another boat with 9 fishermen was caught near Mannar in a separate incident.
Sri Lanka government said that the arrested fishermen along with the fishing vessels have been handed over to the officials of the Department of Fisheries at Thalaimannar and Kalpitiya Police for legal action. The fishermen will be produced before the Puttalam and Mannar Magistrates tomorrow for further legal action.
With the latest arrests, there are 64 Indian fishermen and 84 Indian boats in Sri Lankan custody now.