Indian Coast Guard free eleven Lankan fishermen

by Mohammed NAALIR

Eleven fishermen who were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard officers in Andhra Pradesh have been released, a spokesman for the Fisheries Ministry said.

They will be handed over tomorrow to the Sri Lankan Navy with their vessels in the Kankesanthurai seas by the Indian Coast Guard officers, the spokesman said.

Five fishermen who left the Trincomalee fisheries harbour on May 13 in the 'Kavisha Duwa 2' deep sea fishing vessel were arrested by Indian Coast Guard officers in Andhra Pradesh on May 22.

Another vessel with six fishermen left the shore on May 12 in the deep sea fishing vessel Natasha Duwa was also arrested by the Indian Coast Guard officers in Andhra Pradesh on May 15, according to Fisheries Ministry sources. The Fisheries Ministry said that following the release of these fishermen there won't be any Sri Lankan fishermen detained by Indian Coast Guard officers.

The fishermen released were fined Rs. 925,000 by Andhra Pradesh courts, the spokesman said.

Their release was sequel to the mediation of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who warned Sri Lankan fishermen to refrain from fishing in the territories of other countries.