Indian fishermen continue poaching in Sri Lankan waters - 10 arrested

Just a week after India’s Ministry of External Affairs lodged a strong protest over an incident involving Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and arrested 10 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

 

The arrests took place during a special operation conducted south of Mannar.

 

The Navy emphasized that regular patrols and operations are being carried out in Sri Lankan waters to combat illegal fishing by foreign vessels, which negatively impacts the livelihood of local fishermen. The seized boat and the arrested fishermen were brought to the Thalpadu Pier in Mannar, where they will be handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Inspector for further legal action.

 

This comes just days after India’s Ministry of External Affairs raised concerns following an earlier incident where the Sri Lanka Navy opened fire during the apprehension of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. In that confrontation off Kankesanthirai, two Indian fishermen were injured, and 11 others were arrested.

 

Following that event, the Sri Lanka Navy's Commander reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to conducting operations professionally and in line with existing regulations to protect Sri Lanka's maritime security.