The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Sri Lanka releases three more fishermen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 12, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Sri Lanka releases three more fishermen

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Three more fishermen from Tamil Nadu, apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for entering the island’s waters, were released on Friday.

The Magistrate’s Court of Mallakam in the island nation ordered the release of the three fishermen and their boats, according to a press release from the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission.

This followed requests by the Government of India and Tamil Nadu Government. They would be handed over to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, which would arrange their repatriation to India in consultation with the island’s authorities.

The three were among 31 fishermen apprehended by the island’s navy on January 2 for entering a high-security zone between Point Pedro and Kankesanthurai seas. Twenty-eight fishermen with their boats were released almost immediately. The Sri Lankan Navy repatriated them with their boats in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard.

In view of the Pongal festival and based on the long-standing cordial relations between the two countries , the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission made a representation before the Government of Sri Lanka, resulting in the case being withdrawn.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu