India releases Sri Lankan fishermen [October 28 2008]

A group of Sri Lankan fishermen who were in the custody for the past few months for entering Indian waters illegally has been released by the South Indian officials. A group of 10 Sri Lankan fishermen has been released and the Lankan Government hopes to bring them back to the country within next few days using their own boats which were also seized by the Indian Coast Guard along with the fishermen. Another 91 Sri Lankan fishermen are still in the Indian custody at the moment.

Sri Lankan Fisheries Department said that the Fisheries Minister Felix Perera had started direct talks with the Indian authorities also to get these fishermen released with immediate effect. Fishermen from both countries illegally entering into each other's waters has become a major issue between India and Sri Lanka.