Sri Lanka today repatriated the 126 Indian fishermen who were released on Monday as a Diwali goodwill gesture by the government. <br/><br/>According to the Sri Lankan Navy spokesman 78 of them were handed over to the Indian coast Guards vessel 'Sagar' off the coast of Kankesanturai while the remaining 48 were handed over to the Indian vessel 'Raj Kamal' off the coast of Talaimamnar in the north. <br/><br/>India also handed over the Sri Lankan fishermen held in its custody. The exchange of fishermen was delayed for the last few days due to incessant rains and choppy seas. <br/><br/>Sri Lankan fisheries minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that although the fishermen have been released their equipment will remain confiscated.<br/> <br/>AIR correspondent reports, with the repatriation of all 126 Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka today, the process for their release initiated by officials almost a month ago is now complete.<br/> <br/>Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen violating each other's territorial waters has become a thorny issue in the bilateral relations over the last few years. <br/><br/>Sri Lanka accuses Indian fishermen of straying into its territorial waters in large numbers, affecting the livelihood of poor Tamil fishermen of North Sri Lanka. <br/><br/>Sri Lanka is also objecting to the use of bottom trawlers by Indian fishermen, which destroys the marine ecosystem near the coasts. <br/><br/>Several rounds of talks between officials and fishermen's associations have so far failed to find any solution to the problem.<br/><br/>