Sri Lankan Navy Detains 12 Indian Fishermen for Alleged Poaching: What You Need to Know

Sri Lankan Navy Takes Action Against Indian Fishermen

Colombo: The Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended 12 fishermen from India and confiscated their vessel for purportedly fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday.

On Sunday, the North Central Naval Command of Sri Lanka detected a fleet of Indian fishing boats involved in unauthorized fishing activities, encroaching upon Sri Lankan maritime territory, as stated by the Navy.

The Navy reported, "During an operation conducted in the early hours of February 26, we seized one Indian fishing boat and arrested 12 fishermen who were illegally fishing in the waters south of Mannar."

The detained fishermen and their boat were subsequently transferred to the Fisheries Inspector of Dikovita for further legal action, the Navy confirmed.

Incidents of fishermen from both nations being detained for accidentally entering each other's waters are not uncommon.

The issue of fishermen has become a significant point of contention in India-Sri Lanka relations, with reports of Sri Lankan Navy personnel firing upon Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats during alleged illegal incursions.

The Palk Strait, which separates Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, serves as a lucrative fishing area for fishermen from both countries.