Ten Indian fishermen released by Sri Lanka arrive at Chennai Airport

The Sri Lankan government allegedly released ten Indian fishermen who were allegedly detained by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday after they had arrived at Chennai Airport. The Sri Lankan Court had previously ordered their release and instructed security forces to start the procedure.

The Sri Lankan Navy detained these fishermen earlier on August 22 for allegedly engaging in “illegal fishing” in Sri Lankan waters, according to the Sri Lankan Fishermen Association. The fishermen from Tamil Nadu who had left Thoothukudi were detained as they were fishing across the border in Sri Lanka’s Mullaitivu waters. The 10 arrested fishermen were being transported to Trincomalee port along with their boats.

Families of these fishermen and residents of the Rameswaram fishing community had petitioned the state and the Centre to get involved and hold negotiations with the Sri Lankan government. MK Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the difficulties faced by the community of fishermen when they go out to sea to fish. Nine fishermen from a coastal region of Tamil Nadu who were traveling by boat before this were detained for allegedly trespassing and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. The arrested fishermen from Nagapattinam are being transported to Trincomalee port, according to Rameswaram Police.