Sri Lankan Navy arrests nine Indian fishermen in local waters

The Sri Lankan Navy assisted the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to arrest nine Indian fishermen for illegally poaching in local waters on Sunday, the navy media said here.

Two Indian fishing trawlers were also taken into custody when the fishermen were arrested at the North West of Analative Island off the Jaffna Peninsula, in the north of the island nation.

The navy said that the arrested fishermen along with the trawlers were handed over to the officials of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for onward action.

Local media reports said that the arrest took place just a day after four Indian fishermen, released from Sri Lankan custody, were repatriated at the International Maritime Boundary Line, north of Kankasanthurai, in the country's northern seas.

Sri Lanka and India have been trying to resolve the long- standing fishermen issue with both sides having to face arrest and boats being detained when they stray into each other's waters illegally.

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka had released 102 Indian fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan jails as a good will gesture. However the fishing boats have not been released. Endit