RAMANATHAPURAM (TIP): The Sri Lankan Navy seized four country boats and arrested as many as 33 Indian fishermen hailing from the Pamban region for alleged violation of the IMBL here on August 8. According to official sources, the arrested fishermen were escorted to Thalai Mannar and will be handed over to Puthalam fisheries officials for further proceedings.
Speaking to TNIE, Rayappan, a leader of country boat fishermen association in Pamban, condemned the Lankan Navy’s act and added, “We had raised these issues with the external affairs minister the other day, and were assured of proper action. However, now, our fishermen have been arrested by Sri Lanka again. Immediate action must be taken to ensure their release.”