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The 15 Sri Lankan fishermen, who were previously convicted of illegal fishing in Myanmar’s territorial waters and violating Myanmar’s immigration laws, have been pardoned. According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Myanmar, their release coincides with the country’s New Year’s Eve prisoner release programme.
The Embassy confirms that the fishermen, who were sentenced to seven years of hard labour, are currently being processed for repatriation to Sri Lanka as promptly as possible.
Furthermore, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Myanmar has indicated that their release was facilitated through diplomatic negotiations between the Sri Lankan and Myanmar governments.
Mahinda Aluthgedara