AMN
Seventy seven Indian fishermen released from Sri Lankan jail returned home last midninght. The fishermen were released by Sri Lanka on humanitarian grounds after intervention by central government.
Due to rough sea and low tide the coast guard ship reached the port late. State ministers Jayakumar O S Manian and relatives of the fishermen gave them a warm welcome.
The fishermen were sent to their local hamlets in Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram Pudukottai and Karaikal districts. Local fishermen urge immediate release of 148 fishing boats detained by Sri Lanka for poaching in Lankan waters.