Lankan court orders release of 12 Indian fishermen

Chennai, Mar 25 (UNI) A Sri Lankan court today ordered the release of 12 Indian fishermen and four boats, which had been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 7, 2008.

An official release here said Puttlam Magistrate T G S A Perara ordered the release of fishermen belonging to Thoothur, Ehudesam, Chinnadurai hamlets of Vilvancode taluk in Kaniyakumari district.

The fishermen were released following constant follow up and continous efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu government with the help of Minstry of External Affairs, Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai.

The fishermen would be brought to Kanyakumari shortly.

Earlier, 50 fishermen were released on March 10, 2008 based on the request of the Tamil Nadu Government, the release added.

UNI SNR AJ MIR ND1652