Sri Lanka releases 19 Indian fishermen

According to officials, the Sri Lankan government releases 19 Indian fishermen, taken into custody earlier this month reportedly for straying into the island's waters.

The Sri Lankan government on Thursday released 19 Indian fishermen, taken into custody earlier this month reportedly for straying into the island's waters, according to officials in Rameswaram.

HT Image

Fisheries department officials in Rameswaram quoting information received from Sri Lanka told PTI that all the 19 fishermen, who hail from this coastal town in Ramanathapuram district, were released by a court in Talaimannar.

The fishermen, who went missing since May 5 after venturing into sea from Thangachimadam near here, were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan naval personnel along with their four country boats. They were lodged in Anuradhapura prison.

They were expected to return home after the Indian High Commission completed the formalities, the officials said.