The 35 Indian fishermen, who were rescued in the past two weeks on separate occasions, are likely to sail back Tuesday morning, if the seas are clear.

The prevailing adverse weather conditions in the Palk Strait have delayed the return of these fishermen.

At the moment these fishermen have been provided with temporary accommodation in Jaffna by the Indian Consulate there.

Speaking to AIR/DD the Consular General Mr Mahalingam said that arrangements have been made with the Indian Coast guard to hand over these fishermen at the International maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Search and rescue operations by the Sri Lankan Navy, is still on for another three missing Indian boats along with its complement of fishermen.

Meanwhile the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries is also scheduled to meet in Colombo in the second week of January to discuss the thorny issue of the fishermen crossing the international boundary on a regular basis and work on the modalities for an acceptable solution to both the sides.