Sri Lanka to release 126 Indian fishermen on Monday
RAMESWARAM: All the 126 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody will be released by courts in the island nation on Monday. The Sri Lankan government has already issued release orders to the fisheries department.
Sri Lanka is releasing all Indian fishermen before Diwali as a goodwill gesture.
The fishermen are lodged in various prisons in the country. Seventy eight of them have been lodged in a Jaffna jail while 37 others are in Anuradhapura jail. Seven fishermen are in a Neercolombo jail while four minor boys are lodged at a juvenile home in Mannar.
They would be produced before courts in Mannar, Point Pedro, Kytes and Neercolombo and released, said U Arulanandam of Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen.
“We have received information from officials in the country that fisheries department has received the release orders for our fishermen and special motion will be passed in these courts to summon the fishermen to court”, he said.
Among the fishermen in Sri Lankan custody, 54 are from Rameswaram, 16 from Pudukottai, 49 from Nagapattinam and seven country boat fishermen from Tuticorin.
Though they will be released by Monday morning, the repatriation is going to be a challenge due to a storm and rough seas. Chances are high that these fishermen may miss celebrating Diwali at their homes on Tuesday.
(The Times of India)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka turns to Indian and Russian companies to manage Chinese-funded Airport April 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka’s state revenue surges to record Rs. 834 Billion in first quarter 2024 April 26, 2024
- Army soldier killed, 9 injured in Mankulam cab-lorry collision April 26, 2024
- Electricity trade unions to take legal action against Sri Lanka Electricity Bill April 26, 2024
- Gotabaya Rajapaksa refutes Cardinal Ranjith’s allegations on Easter Sunday Attacks April 25, 2024