The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday expressed disappointment over the Sri Lankan government’s unwillingness to release boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen impounded by the Lankan navy for crossing the international maritime boundary line. 

On Friday, the Indian external affairs ministry informed the Tamil Nadu government that though the offer of the state (to release the Sri Lankan fishermen from Tamil Nadu jails) was conveyed to the Sri Lankan government, the latter agreed to release only 66 Indian fishermen, but not the 81 boats it had seized. These boats have been detained since June last and kept in a bad state. 

In a letter to Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, chief minister O Panneerselvam said it only confirmed what AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa had always maintained -- that the government of Sri Lanka was pursuing a sinister strategy of depriving fisher families in Tamil Nadu of their source of livelihood. 

“In view of the approaching Christmas festival, the state government will, however, release of all the 30 fishermen from Sri Lanka on December 22. We expect that the Union government will ensure that the 66 fishermen from Tamil Nadu in Sri Lankan custody will also return home well in time for Christmas,” Panneerselvam said, indicating, however, that Tamil Nadu government too would not release Sri Lankan boats in its custody. 

The chief minister on Tuesday said the state government was prepared to release the Sri Lankan fishermen and their 19 boats currently in custody in Tamil Nadu. He also requested the Centre to ensure that Sri Lankan government released Tamil Nadu fishermen and their boats at the same time. - TOI