Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's urgent intervention for the early release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka and their fishing boats. <br/><br/>Referring to the detention of seven fishermen early this morning by Sri Lankan navy, Mr Panneerselvam has said in a letter that such arrests in the traditional waters near the Palk Bay continues unabated, despite talks at the levels of Indo-Srilankan fishermen and the two-nation inter-ministerial discussions being held from time to time. <br/><br/>He has echoed the stand of his predecessor, late J.Jayalalithaa, that a permanent solution to the issue will be possible only by restoring India's sovereignty over Katchatheevu, an islet handed over to the neighbouring country by India. The Chief Minister has said the Sri Lankan strategy of not releasing the boats of the apprehended fishermen is causing great damage to their livelihood. <br/><br/>He has demanded Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with the Sri-Lankan authorities so as to secure immediate release of the total of 22 fishermen including those apprehended yesterday and 109 boats that are under the custody of Colombo.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's urgent intervention for the early release of fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka and their fishing boats. <br/><br/>Referring to the detention of seven fishermen early this morning by Sri Lankan navy, Mr Panneerselvam has said in a letter that such arrests in the traditional waters near the Palk Bay continues unabated, despite talks at the levels of Indo-Srilankan fishermen and the two-nation inter-ministerial discussions being held from time to time. <br/><br/>He has echoed the stand of his predecessor, late J.Jayalalithaa, that a permanent solution to the issue will be possible only by restoring India's sovereignty over Katchatheevu, an islet handed over to the neighbouring country by India. The Chief Minister has said the Sri Lankan strategy of not releasing the boats of the apprehended fishermen is causing great damage to their livelihood. <br/><br/>He has demanded Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with the Sri-Lankan authorities so as to secure immediate release of the total of 22 fishermen including those apprehended today and 109 boats that are under the custody of Colombo.

Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's urgent intervention for the early release of fishermen arrested by Srilanka and their fishing boats. <br/><br/>Referring to the detention of seven fishermen early this morning by Srilankan navy, Mr Panneerselvam has said in a letter that such arrests in the traditional waters near the Palk Bay continues unabated, despite talks at the levels of Indo-Srilankan fishermen and the two-nation inter-ministerial discussions being held from time to time. <br/><br/>He has echoed the stand of his predecessor, late J.Jayalalithaa, that a permanent solution to the issue will be possible only by restoring India's sovereignty over Katchatheevu, an islet handed over to the neighbouring country by India. The Chief Minister has said the Sri Lankan strategy of not releasing the boats of the apprehended fishermen is causing great damage to their livelihood. <br/><br/>He has demanded Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with the Sri-Lankan authorities so as to secure immediate release of the total of 22 fishermen including those apprehended today and 109 boats that are under the custody of Colombo.