Lankan navy hands over 5 fishermen

Rameswaram, Dec 7 (UNI) Five Indian fishermen, who had recently drifted to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka due to strong gales were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard by the Sri Lankan navy this evening.

Official sources said a group of five fishermen from Pamban in Rameswaram, who had ventured into the sea for fishing in a mechanised boat on December 1 drifted to Talaimannar, when their boat was driven by strong gales, the next day.

The Sri Lankan navy had informed the Indian authorities about the incident.

A salvage team comprising 21 fishermen in four boats left for Talaimannar yesterday to escort them back home. The team was taken up to the International Maritime Boundary Line by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The Sri Lankan navy took them at mid sea.

The damaged boat was also towed by a salvage team and taken to Rameswaram along with the fishermen.

UNI