Sri Lankan: 12 Indian fishermen arrested for illegal hunting in Sri Lankan waters
Colombo: The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 12 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in the island nation’s territorial waters. According to reports, the fishermen were arrested on Saturday off the coast of Karainagar in the northern Jaffna peninsula and their three trawlers were seized.
The issue of fishermen is a contentious issue in the relations between India and Sri Lanka. There have also been reports of Indian fishermen being fired upon and their boats seized in the Palk Strait, among several alleged incidents of illegal entry into the Sri Lankan Straits.
The Palk Strait is a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka. The area is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. In 2023, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers on charges of poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
