37 Indian fishermen, 5 boats arrested

Sri Lanka Navy personnel have arrested 37 Indian fishermen along with their 5 boats for engaging in poaching activities in Sri Lankan waters.

Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Commander Indika Silva said 37 Indian fishermen were arrested and five boats were seized off the northern coast in Point Pedro this evening.

The fishermen have been taken to Kankesanturai port for further action, Silva said.

The arrests comes just days after President Maithripala Sirisena said he had issued instructions to seize boats that violate the country’s territorial waters.

Dismissing opposition’s claim that his government has given fishing rights to Indians, Sirisena said he had issued clear instructions to the navy to seize boats that violate the country’s territorial waters.

“We have not allowed fishing in our waters for the Indians. I have given clear instructions to navy to arrest boats or trawlers that violate our water limits,” Sirisena told a gathering of fishing industry and political representatives Thursday night.