Sri Lanka wants to swap fishermen with India

Saturday, 6 December 2014 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government may consider releasing the 38 Indian fishermen in its custody if India releases the 40 Sri Lankan fishermen in their custody, the Government has indicated to India. “We have requested the Indian Government through our Foreign Ministry, and discussions are on with the Indian High Commission in Colombo,” acting Fisheries Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratne has told The Hindu on Thursday. India has 40 Sri Lankan fishermen – 30 in Tamil Nadu and 10 in Andhra Pradesh – in custody. Demanding their immediate release, the 38 Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna prison began a fast unto death on Thursday to protest their continued detention. The Indian consulate office in Jaffna has informed the Indian High Commission officials in Colombo after the Indian prisoners began their protest in the jail.

Court extends remand of 38 Indian fishermen

A Sri Lankan Court Friday ordered to further remand the 38 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu already detained in the country. The Kayts Magistrate Court has extended the remand until 18 December, when the fishermen arrested on different occasions were produced before the Court, according to the officials at the Indian Consulate in Jaffna. The fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on different occasions for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and entering into Sri Lankan waters for poaching near Katchatheevu Island. The fishermen began a fast unto death on Tuesday protesting the continued detention but gave up the fast yesterday. At present, there are 38 Indian fishermen and 82 Indian trawlers in Sri Lankan custody, PTI reported.