Seven fishermen along with two trawlers from Tamil Nadu were arrested by Sri Lankan navy this morning for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters. A statement by Sri Lankan navy said, the fishermen were taken into custody northwest of Delft island near Neduntheevu in the island nation. They have been handed over to fisheries department in Jaffna for further legal action.<br/><br/>With this latest arrest, the number of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody has gone up to 22. A total of 136 fishing trawlers are also in Sri Lankan custody. Sri Lankan government has been releasing the fishermen routinely on humanitarian grounds but has the policy of retaining the trawlers.<br/><br/>The fishermen issue has been a constant problem between the two countries. Union Minister of state for Road Transport Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said, officials from India and Sri Lanka will be holding talks by the end of this month to find solution to the problems being faced by the fishermen. <br/><br/>A delegation level talks at foreign minister level held in November had decided to begin consultations for resolving the issue. Accordingly, the meeting between agriculture minister from India and fisheries minister of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held in Colombo on 2nd of January.

Seven fishermen along with two trawlers from Tamil Nadu were arrested by Sri Lankan navy this morning for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters. A statement by Sri Lankan navy said, the fishermen were taken into custody northwest of Delft island near Neduntheevu in the island nation. They have been handed over to fisheries department in Jaffna for further legal action.<br/><br/>With this latest arrest, the number of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody has gone up to 22. A total of 136 fishing trawlers are also in Sri Lankan custody. Sri Lankan government has been releasing the fishermen routinely on humanitarian grounds but has the policy of retaining the trawlers.<br/><br/>The fishermen issue has been a constant problem between the two countries. Union Minister of state for Road Transport Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said, officials from India and Sri Lanka will be holding talks by the end of this month to find solution to the problems being faced by the fishermen. <br/><br/>A delegation level talks at foreign minister level held in November had decided to begin consultations for resolving the issue. Accordingly, the meeting between agriculture minister from India and fisheries minister of Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held in Colombo on 2nd of January.

Sri Lankan Navy arrested seven fishermen and detained two fishing boats from Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu when they were fishing near Neduntheevu last night. According to sources, the fishermen were taken to Jaffna for questioning. <br/><br/>Union Minister of state for Road Transport Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said that officials from India and Sri Lanka will be holding talks by the end of this month to find solution to the problems being faced by the fishermen. <br/><br/>Fishermen from Tamil Nadu are urging the central government to secure the release of fellow fishermen and 120 fishing boats detained by Sri Lanka. <br/><br/>The livelihood of Tamil fishermen is badly affected as Sri Lanka is detaining fishing boats as deterrent measure while releasing fishermen as goodwill gesture. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan told AIR that ministerial level talks to find a solution to this issue will be held on January 2nd. <br/><br/>As a prelude to this there will be an official level meeting later this month. Sri Lankan fishermen are urging that Tamil Nadu fishermen should not use Erattaimadi, roller madi, kurukku madi nets as it will completely destroy fish resources. <br/><br/>Local fishermen want a lasting solution to the problem as they are being apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in traditional waters near Kachatheevu.