19 Indian Fishermen Return Home From Sri Lanka, Arrive In Chennai

Nineteen Indian fishermen reportedly arrived in Chennai yesterday after their release from Sri Lanka. The development comes after the community and villagers from Tharuvaikulam in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district staged a one-day hunger strike protesting the detention of 22 fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on Friday.

Back home to India! 19 Indian fishermen have been safely brought back from Sri Lanka and are on their way to Chennai”.

Protesting activist Murugan demanded the withdrawal of the fine imposed on the fishermen and the return of two powerboats that have been confiscated by the Sri Lankan Navy. He explained to ANI, “The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 22 fishermen from Tharuvaikulam last month saying they had entered Sri Lankan waters. The fishermen were shifted to Kalpiti Fisheries Department and later taken to Puttalam District Kalpitiya Tourism Court. Presently, they are jailed at Wariyapola Jail, and the trial is underway.”

The protestors claim that the Sri Lankan court has penalised 12 fishermen of one boat with a fine of Rs 42 lakh, which is around Rs 1.5 crore in the Sri Lankan currency and imposed a six-month jail term for not paying the penalty amount.

However, in a letter issued yesterday, September 7, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has also claimed that 14 fishermen belonging to Pudukkottai District and three of their fishing boats have been detained by the Sri Lankan Navy.