The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 34 Indian fishermen and seized three boats for illegal fishing in two separate incidents, reports say. The arrests happened on January 25 and 26 off the coast of the northeastern Mannar district during the Navy’s routine patrols to stop illegal fishing. The fishermen were handed over to authorities for further action.
The Ramanathapuram Fisheries Department reported that the three boats belonged to Sachin from Rameswaram, Deniyl, and Rubildan from Thangachimadam. They were caught for violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
Fishermen’s associations have condemned the ongoing arrests and called on the Indian government to act, asking for the fishermen’s release without heavy fines and for the return of the seized boats.
Earlier this week, the Indian High Commission announced the release of 41 Indian fishermen who had been detained for fishing in Sri Lankan waters. On January 12, eight Indian fishermen were arrested, and two boats were seized.
The issue of fishermen is a sensitive one between India and Sri Lanka. There have been reports of the Sri Lankan Navy shooting at Indian fishermen and seizing their boats for entering Sri Lankan waters.
Fishermen from both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka often fish in the Palk Strait, which divides the two countries, and accidents leading to arrests are common. In 2024, Sri Lanka’s Navy arrested 529 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
