MEA confirms return of 37 Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka

Colombo, July 12: Sri Lankan Navy on Saturday released 37

who were arrested while fishing near Katchateevu and were brought to Mandapam.

An Indian Coast Guard ship received them from a Sri Lankan naval ship at the International Maritime Bourdary Line (IMBL) and brought them to Mandapam, Fisheries Department sources said.

Syed Akbaruddin, Spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs tweeted that 37 Indian fishermen released by Sri Lanka. 'Adds up to 249 "fast track" releases since 26 May 2014. Total of 805 fishermen released in 2014,' Akbaruddin tweeted.

They were arrested by June 19 and July 4 on charges of crossing IMBL.

Talking to reporters, the fishermen thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the Union Government for taking efforts for their release.

This comes a day after India and Sri Lanka reiterated their commitment to finding a long term solution to the issue of Indian fishermen running into trouble with Sri Lankan authorities in the Indian Ocean.

With PTI inputs

OneIndia News