<span style="color: #222222;">Union Government today said that at present there are 50 boats and one Indian fisherman in Sri Lankan custody.<br />'' <br />'' In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said during the recent visit to India, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, assured that Sri Lanka will take steps to release the boats belonging to Indian Fishermen in their custody.<br />'' <br />'' He said, the government attaches the highest priority to the safety and security of Indian fishermen.<br />'' <br />'' As soon as reports of apprehension of Indian fishermen are received, the government through diplomatic channels takes up the matter with the Sri Lankan authorities.<br />'' <br />'' The Minister said, with sustained diplomatic efforts the government secured the release of more than two thousand fishermen and 380 fishing vessels from the custody of Sri Lanka since May 2014.</span><br />''