What Happened to the 25 TN Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lankan Coast Guard?

Chennai, May 3 (NationPress) Twenty-five fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were detained by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard on February 23, have finally returned home on Saturday. They arrived in Chennai from Colombo on an Air India flight and were provided with state-coordinated transport to their hometowns.

The fishermen, originating from Rameswaram, were out fishing in the Mandapam area when their motorised boats were intercepted by a Sri Lankan Coast Guard patrol during the night hours. The authorities alleged that the fishermen had crossed the maritime boundary, leading to their arrest.

After being taken into custody, they were presented in court and subsequently imprisoned. Following their arrest, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, advocating for prompt action to ensure the fishermen's release along with their boats.

Officials from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka later initiated dialogues with the Sri Lankan government. Recently, a Sri Lankan court mandated their release, after which the fishermen were handed over to the Indian High Commission, which ensured their accommodation in Colombo, provided them with emergency certificates, and facilitated their flight back to India. This incident contributes to the escalating tensions between India and Sri Lanka due to recurrent mid-sea arrests.

Since the start of 2025, Sri Lankan authorities have detained 119 Indian fishermen and confiscated 16 Indian fishing vessels. Fishermen's associations in Tamil Nadu have expressed increasing concern over this situation.

VP Sesuraja, a prominent leader in the fishing community, highlighted the financial struggles faced by the families of the detained fishermen, many of whom are unable to pay the hefty fines imposed by Sri Lanka. He noted that some fishermen are now reluctant to venture out to sea.

In response, various fishermen's associations are organizing large-scale protests across the coastal areas of the state. Antony John, a leader of one association, announced coordinated demonstrations and called upon the Union government to take definitive measures, such as securing the release of the detained fishermen, retrieving the seized boats, and negotiating a bilateral agreement with Sri Lanka to avert future incidents.

Rajagopal C.M., a representative from Thangachimadam, condemned the government's perceived inaction, pointing out that numerous Indian fishermen remain incarcerated in Sri Lanka, causing significant distress to their families. He also mentioned that around 270 Indian trawlers have been impounded since 2018, adversely affecting the livelihoods of fishermen.

Chief Minister Stalin reiterated the urgent necessity for strong diplomatic efforts to address this longstanding issue, emphasizing that the safety and security of Tamil fishermen must be a top priority.