27 Fishermen from Tamil Nadu Released from Sri Lankan Prison

Chennai, Feb 27 (NationPress) In a significant relief for the fishing community in Tamil Nadu, 27 fishermen, who were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), have been freed from prison and have arrived at Chennai International Airport on Thursday.

The fishermen, originating from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam, were welcomed at the airport by officials from the Tamil Nadu fisheries department, who arranged transportation for them back to their homes.

It is important to note that the detained fishermen were apprehended on various occasions, as confirmed by officials from the Tamil Nadu fisheries department.

The fishermen from Rameswaram have been engaged in an indefinite strike since Monday (February 24), demanding the immediate release of their fellow fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

As part of the protest efforts, around 700 mechanised boat fishermen have halted their operations, keeping their boats moored along the coast. According to leaders from the fishermen’s associations, this strike could lead to a daily revenue loss estimated at Rs one crore, affecting over 10,000 workers in the fishing sector.

A consultative meeting among the mechanised boat fishermen’s associations was held on Sunday at the Rameswaram fishing harbour. The associations reached a consensus to stop fishing activities until the detained fishermen are released.

The protesters have called upon the Indian government to take urgent action against the recurring arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and to ensure their protection.

V.P. Sesuraja, president of the Traditional Indian Fishermen Welfare Association, mentioned that Tamil Nadu fishermen have faced arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy on four different instances just this month. Since the start of 2025, a total of 119 fishermen and 16 boats have been seized.

Sesuraja also pointed out the financial burden on the families of the detained fishermen, who often have to pay substantial fines imposed by Sri Lankan authorities to secure their release. Due to fears of additional arrests and seizure of boats, many fishermen are now reluctant to venture out to sea.

In response, fishermen’s associations throughout Tamil Nadu are gearing up for extensive protests against the ongoing arrests and confiscation of fishing vessels. Antony John, a leader from the fishermen’s association, informed IANS that groups in all coastal districts of Tamil Nadu will soon finalize a date for large-scale protests. He stressed the necessity for the Union government to take immediate measures to release all detained fishermen, recover confiscated boats, and establish a bilateral agreement with Sri Lanka to address the issue.

Moreover, fishermen’s associations have sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging prompt diplomatic efforts to prevent mid-sea arrests and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Rajagopal C.M., a fishermen’s leader from Thangachimadam, criticized the government's lack of action, highlighting that many detained fishermen remain imprisoned in Sri Lanka, leaving their families in financial duress. He noted that since 2018, around 270 trawlers have been impounded, further threatening the fishermen’s livelihoods.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged the Central government to convene a Joint Working Group to devise a lasting solution. In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CM Stalin expressed concern over the recent detention of 32 Indian fishermen and five boats by the Sri Lankan Navy. He raised alarms over the increasing frequency of such incidents despite persistent appeals to Colombo.

“The ongoing apprehension of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy has reached a critical level. Since January 2025, there have been eight separate incidents, leading to the arrest of 119 fishermen and the confiscation of 16 boats,” CM Stalin wrote. The Chief Minister called for robust diplomatic actions to avert further arrests and ensure the safety of Tamil fishermen.