LANKA-FISHERMEN 2 LAST

The minister said once he gets all the details, the
government will proceed with the process of their release.

In two separate incidents, 21 fishermen were detained
by Lankan navy last week off Thalaimannar after crossing into
Lankan territorial waters.

However, the minister was quick to dismiss "rumours" of
the navy harassing Indian fishermen.

"There have been no such harassments. It was clear that
they crossed into our waters and the release is based on close
ties with India," Perera said said.

When contacted Navy Spokesman D K P Dassanayake too
denied the reports of harassments.

On the procedure for the release of the detained
foreign fishermen, he said after the legal procedure is
complete, and if there is any order for their release, then
the repatriation is carried out by the Navy.

According to officials, a boat with four Indian
fishermen off the coast of Mannar was spotted by the Navy
around 12.30 PM IST on September 16.

Subsequently, around 7 AM IST on the following day,
five trawlers with 17 fishermen were detected poaching in the
territorial waters and the Navy seized the trawlers following
the detection. PTI TVS
SDE


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