Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has ordered the release of 179 Sri Lankan fishermen lodged in Tamil Nadu jails, mostly arrested for trespassing into Indian waters.

The decision is to create a conducive atmosphere before the scheduled talks between fishermen of both countries in Chennai on January 20 in a bid to resolve their issues.

Ms Jayalalithaa says Sri Lanka too would release the 275 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu arrested for fishing in Lankan waters.

The chief minister also added that in the past Sri Lanka has failed to give shape to decisions taken at meets in Chennai between representatives of fishermen from both sides. She also blamed the Centre for not sending details of decisions taken at a meet in Sri Lanka.

Jayalalithaa has said that the Government of Sri Lanka will start releasing jailed Tamil Nadu fishermen from Sunday.

The centre has informed the state government that it expected a majority of the 275 Tamil fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan jails to be released, said Jayalalithaa in a statement.

Meanwhile, representatives of fishermen unions of the two countries are scheduled to meet in Chennai on January 20 to discuss the issue.

The Tamil Nadu chief minister said, as per Centre’s directions, 179 Sri Lankan fishermen lodged in Tamil Nadu jails will also be released soon.


- NDTV/ANI