With the arrest of 34 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy this morning near Delft Island, a total of 53 fishermen in 9 trawlers are in custody of Sri Lankan authorities now.

Speaking to All India Radio, Sri Lankan Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said all the arrests have been made in Sri Lankan waters for illegal poaching. Officials of the Indian High Commission are in touch with the relevant authorities to ensure an early release of all 53 fishermen and thier fishing boats.

Reports reaching Fisheries Department at
Ramanathapuram say that The fishermen from Thangachimadom had ventured into the sea yesterday morning.

Earlier, on March 3, the Lankan navy had arrested 16 Indian fishermen from Tuticorin. They were released last week after being remanded to fourteen day custody by a Lankan court.

The distance between Rameshwaram and Munnar coast in North Sri Lanka is only about 50 miles and often the fishing boats stray into each others’ territorial waters, leading to skirmishes between fishermen of the two countries or even arrests by Naval Patrol boats.