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Sri Lanka orders release of 86 Indian fishermen

Xinhua, March 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday ordered the release of a group of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody, to coincide with the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The President's media unit said that the President, who is currently in London, had issued instructions for 86 Indian fishermen to be released.

The navy had arrested the 86 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters last month. The fishermen were arrested east of Mullaitivu in the North of the country and their boats were also seized.

President Maithripala Sirisena expressed the hope that Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian custody will also be set free as a goodwill gesture.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on Friday, the first by an Indian leader in 25 years.

The leaders are expected to discuss the fishermen issue as Indians and Sri Lankans are often arrested for poaching in the waters of their neighbors.

Several rounds of talks aimed at resolving the issue ended in failure. At the last talks, Indian fishermen had sought the right to catch fish in Sri Lankan waters but were refused.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesighe had recently been quoted by the Indian media as saying the Sri Lankan navy had every right to shoot Indians who illegally enter Sri Lankan waters. Endi