20 Fishermen from Tamil Nadu Released from Sri Lankan Jail Arrive in Chennai

Chennai, Jan 1 (NationPress) A group of 20 fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who endured imprisonment in Sri Lanka for over a year, have finally been released and arrived in Chennai via flight.

The fishermen, originating from the districts of Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin, were under the custody of Sri Lankan authorities.

Following diplomatic negotiations between the governments of India and Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan government decided to release the 20 fishermen. They were subsequently handed over to officials from the Indian Embassy, who provided them with temporary citizenship certificates.

The fishermen were then transported from Colombo to Chennai airport.

Upon their arrival at the Chennai airport, the fishermen underwent citizenship verification, customs checks, and other necessary formalities before being released. They were greeted by officials from the Fisheries Department, who arranged transport to their respective hometowns.

Earlier, on December 24, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to advocate for immediate diplomatic actions for the release of the 20 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy along with their mechanized boats.

In his correspondence to the Union Minister, dated December 24, Stalin sought urgent intervention regarding the release of 17 fishermen captured by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Stalin highlighted that the mechanized fishing boats, identified by numbers IND-TN-10-MM-206 and IND-TN-10-MM-543, were also in the possession of the Sri Lankan Navy and requested the Union Minister's immediate assistance for their release.

In the letter, he emphasized that the frequent arrests and attacks have rendered the lives of local fishermen, who rely solely on fishing in their traditional waters, perilous and uncertain.

CM Stalin pointed out that in 2024 alone, 530 fishermen have been detained and 71 boats confiscated, leading to heightened anxiety within the fishing community.

He urged the External Affairs Minister to take decisive steps through appropriate diplomatic channels to ensure the swift release of all detained fishermen and their vessels.

Stalin stated, "I also request diplomatic measures to prevent future attacks," referring to two separate incidents on December 20 where fishermen from Kodiyakkarai village in Nagapattinam were assaulted by six unidentified Sri Lankan nationals.

He noted, "In this alarming incident, three out of six fishermen sailing in two country crafts were injured, and their equipment, including GPS devices, VHF equipment, fishing nets, mobile phones, and their catch, was stolen by the assailants."

Fishermen's associations throughout Tamil Nadu are organizing protests in coastal regions and have also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention to halt the mid-sea arrests and confiscation of mechanized boats vital to their livelihoods.

Recently, S. Jaishankar discussed this matter with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emphasizing the ongoing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has also called for strong government intervention to avert further arrests of Indian fishermen.