11 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka Navy

Colombo, August 24

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 11 more Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in the country’s territorial waters, taking the total number of arrests this year to 333, according to an official release.

On Friday, 11 Indian fishermen were arrested, and their trawler seized off the coast of Point Pedro in Jaffna in the northern province, the Sri Lankan Navy said in a press release.

Those apprehended were brought to the Kankesanthurai fishing harbour for further action, it said. With this, the number of Indians arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy this year has risen to 333, and their trawlers seized to 45.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar following the arrest. “I have repeatedly highlighted that such incidents are occurring at an alarming frequency. In 2024 alone, 324 fishermen and 44 boats were apprehended. The fishing community continues to face hardships due to the recurrent arrests” he said.