Chennai: At least 19 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lanka Navy are being repatriated to India after they were released by authorities here, the Indian High Commission said. The Indian High Commission wrote in a post on ‘X’, “Homecoming.
19 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Sri Lanka and are en route from Colombo to Chennai.” The Sri Lankan Navy had confirmed in a statement late last month that the navy had reportedly so far in 2024 in the territorial waters of the island nation. 23 Indian trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen have been seized for fishing and handed over to the authorities for legal action.
The issue of fishermen is a controversial one in the relations between India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Navy personnel open fire on Indian fishermen and seize their boats in alleged incidents of illegal entry into its territorial waters.
The release of 19 Indian fishermen comes at a time when controversy has erupted over Katchatheevu island. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India has held the Congress responsible for giving the Katchatheevu Islands to Sri Lanka in 1974.
