As many as 15 fishermen from Rameswaram, who were fishing near Neduntheevu, were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Sunday, July 9, 2023.
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According to an official from the Department of Fisheries, the fishermen from Thangachimadam and Pamban, had sailed in two mechanised boats on Saturday.
When the boats were involved in fishing near Neduntheevu, Sri Lankan Navy arrested them on charges of poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
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They were taken to the Naval base in Kankesanthurai harbour, the police said.
Condemning the Sri Lankan Government for “ruining the livelihood of fishermen of Rameswaram,” over 650 mechanised boats would stay off the sea on Monday, said president of All Mechanised Boats Association, P. Sesuraja.
Despite repeated pleas by the fishermen over the years to restore traditional fishing rights for them to fish near Katchatheevu, nothing has materialised so far, he complained. Stating that besides the 15 fishermen, the SL Navy has seized two mechanised boats.
“While the fishermen would be released later, the boats, which cost Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh are never returned. We have already lost 110 boats since 2018. The fishermen have bought them through huge loans,” Mr. Sesuraja rued.
Stating that each of the mechanised boats were the source of livelihood for at least 50 families, he said as a mark of protest to draw the attention of the Centre and the State on this pressing issue, some 25,000 fishermen would abstain from work on Monday, he said.