Navy assists repatriation of 20 Indian fishermen released from custody

The Sri Lanka Navy on Wednesday assisted in the repatriation of 20 Indian fishermen after they were released from Sri Lankan custody.

The fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested for trespassing into Sri Lankan territorial waters and engaging in illegal fishing activities.

Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s Patrol Craft CG 404 was 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 Kankasanthurai this afternoon, the Navy said.

Sri Lanka earlier this year passed regulations to ban bottom trawling. Indian fishermen are accused of bottom trawling in Lankan waters.