Seventeen SL fishermen to be released

by Naalir Jamaldeen

Steps will be taken to release 17 Sri Lankan fishermen who have been detained in Myanmar, Fisheries Ministry sources said.

The family members of fishermen who are in detention in Myanmar for the last four months staged a protest opposite the Ministry, the sources said.

On the directive of Fisheries Minister Joseph Michael Perera Ministry Secretary Nihal Hettiarachchi who met the family members of fishermen discussed matters and promised them an allowance for affected families until they are released, the sources said. The fishermen who went to sea from Trincomalee and Kudawella have been kept in detention in Myanmar from October 6 last year, the sources said.

Minister Joseph Michael Perera has directed the secretary to initiate diplomatic talks with the countries where Sri Lankan fishermen have been detained, the sources said.