Colombo:
A total of 23 Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy for alleged poaching in the country’s territorial waters have been released and repatriated by authorities here, India’s High Commission said Friday.
“23 Indian fishermen have been repatriated to their homes from Colombo today,” the Indian High Commission said in a tweet here.
On July 12, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested six Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the maritime border while fishing in the Palk Strait region.
At least 12 Indian fishermen were arrested on July 3 by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country’s territorial waters.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy, these arrests are part of their patrols to stop illegal fishing in the country’s waters to minimize the impact of poaching on local fishermen and the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s fish stocks.
The fishermen issue is a controversial issue in India-Sri Lanka ties.
There have been periodic cases of Indian fishermen being detained by the Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the international maritime boundary line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
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