The 22 Indian fishermen who were rescued in two separate incidents by the Sri Lankan Navy, off the north-western coast in the last three days, will soon be repatriated.

The fishermen were in five different boats. Sources in the government indicated that Indian Consulate in Jaffna and the Sri Lankan Navy would work on retrieving the boats on Thursday.

The Sri Lankan Navy said that the Indian fishermen were illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters. They were arrested, produced before the Kayts Magistrate, who ordered their release, unlike on previous occasions.

Meanwhile, the Joint Working Group, JWG, on Fishing is also scheduled to meet in January next year to discuss the fishermen issue and work on the modalities for an acceptable solution to both the sides. This time, the JWG meeting is likely to be held in Colombo .