SRI LANKA RELEASES INDIAN FISHERMEN ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS

S.M.Krishna on Lanka fishermen issue
Onlanka News –
by Walter Jayawardhana

Indian External Minister S.M. Krishna said the Twenty-three Tamil Nadu fishermen, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on July 22 when they were fishing near Katchatheevu in the Palk Straits, have been released.

The Indian High Commission was making all arrangements for their return, Mr Krishna said at a joint press conference with his Indonesian counterpart Marty M Natalegawa in Delhi.

Their release today came a day after Krishna appealed to Sri Lanka to immediately set free the fishermen, who were also accused of ramming their boats into Lankan naval ships, on humanitarian grounds.

In Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, President of Innocent Fishermen’s Association, Arulanandam said that the fishermen, arrested