Ten Lankan fishermen, vessels released

A group of ten Sri Lankan fishermen and their two vessels released from Indian custody following the intervention of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne will return to Sri Lanka when they are handed over to Sri Lankan security authorities by the Indian Coastguard off Kankesanturai on July 5.

They include five fishermen aboard the vessel Piyumali which set off from the Negombo Fisheries Harbour on April 13 and was arrested by the Tamil Nadu Coastguard for straying into Indian waters on May 8 and five fishermen aboard Dhanushka Putha - 2 which set off from Trincomalee fisheries harbour on April 28 and was arrested in Indian waters off Tamil Nadu on May 14, states a press release issued by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry.

The release said another five fishermen and their vessel Solomon - 2 which had been under Indian custody in Tamil Nadu have also been released by Indian authorities and arrangements would be made to bring them back to Sri Lanka once Indian authorities issued orders to send them back.

At present, only 11 fishermen and their vessels Natasha Duwa - 6 and Kavisha 2 are held by Indian authorities in Andra Pradesh.

The release said the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Department had to spend nearly Rs 2.5 to 3 million for the welfare and airfare of Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Indian waters by the Indian Coastguard. This unnecessary expenditure could be saved if Sri Lankan fishermen desist from straying into Indian waters for fishing and restricted themselves to the Sri Lankan Maritime Zone as requested by Miniser Dr Rajitha Senaratne.