32 Indian fishermen arrested for poaching in Sri Lankan waters

Sri Lanka Navy says 05 Indian trawlers were seized and 32 Indian fishermen were apprehended for poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Talaimannar and near the Delft Island during separate operations conducted to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters.

The North Central and Northern Naval Commands deployed their Inshore Petrol Craft and Fast Attack Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of March 20, the SLN media unit said. 

Accordingly, the Navy held 02 Indian poaching trawlers along with 07 Indian fishermen off Talaimannar. In addition, naval personnel also seized 03 more Indian poaching trawlers and held 25 Indian fishermen off the Delft Island.

The 02 Indian poaching trawlers along with 07 Indian fishermen apprehended by the North Central Naval Command were brought to the Talaimannar Pier. 

Meanwhile, the 03 Indian poaching trawlers and 25 Indian fishermen held by the Northern Naval Command were brought to Kankasanthurai Harbour. They will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Mannar and Mailadi for onward legal proceedings.

Including the recent apprehension, the Navy has held 23 Indian poaching trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen in island waters thus far in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action, the navy said.