The prevailing ‘adverse weather conditions’ in north and east of Sri Lanka have delayed the repatriation of the Indian fishermen , who had been earlier rescued by the Sri Lankan navy off the Jaffna coast.

A Statement by the Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, released by the High Commission in Colombo today stated that “due to adverse weather conditions presently obtaining in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, seven fishing trawlers with 29 Indian fishermen which had set off from Tamil Nadu had run aground or got damaged in Sri Lankan waters and have been rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy”.

The statement also said that the High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate General in Jaffna have worked closely with the concerned local authorities to secure the immediate release and welfare of the fishermen.

The fishermen are presently in Jaffna in an accommodation leased for this purpose by the Consulate, which has also arranged food, clothing, medical attention and other basic amenities for them.

The concerned authorities of the Government of Sri Lanka have agreed to provide their full cooperation in ensuring the repatriation of the fishermen to India as soon as weather conditions improve. Efforts are also being made for salvage boats from India to travel to Sri Lanka to repair the damaged boats and bring them back, if possible