Sri Lanka arrests 54 Indian fishermen

The arrest comes days ahead of the scheduled talks between fisher leaders of India and Sri Lanka.

For Daily:08/05/13:Ramanathapuram:Released fishermen reached in Rameswaram,Tamilnadu on Wednesday. Photo:L_Balacandar [with report]

The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 54 Indian fishermen early Sunday on charges of poaching.

The arrest comes days ahead of the scheduled talks between fisher leaders of India and Sri Lanka. The discussions are to be held in Chennai March 24 and 25.

Ten trawlers used by the arrested fishermen were seized, official sources said.

While 33 fishermen were arrested off Mannar, 21 were arrested off Jaffna.

Letter to PM

Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately secure the release of 54 fishermen.

“I wish to state that only when all the apprehended fishermen in Sri Lankan custody and their boats are released would the talks be meaningful and conducted in a conducive atmosphere,” he said in his letter to Mr. Modi. He urged him to instruct the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Colombo.