Navy arrests 13 Indian fishermen; 69 repatriated

The Navy arrested 13 Indian fishermen and seized two trawlers for engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters northeast of Katchativu Island yesterday.

The fishermen were brought to the naval base SLNS Uththara in Kankesanthurai. They were handed over to the Assistant Fisheries Director of Jaffna for onward legal action.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard facilitated the repatriation of 69 Indian fishermen today. They had been taken into custody for trespassing into Sri Lankan territorial waters and engaging in illegal fishing activities.

The Sri Lanka Navy Ship ‘Ranagaja’ and Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s Patrol Craft CG 404 were deployed for the repatriation mission. The repatriated Indian fishermen were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Ameya’ at the International Maritime Boundary Line north of Kankesanthurai. (Colombo Gazette)