86 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan navy

Colombo: As many as 86 Indian fishermen have been arrested and their 10 fishing boats seized by the Sri Lanka Navy for allegedly poaching in the country's waters, naval officials said on Friday.

They were arrested last night off the eastern coast of Mullaithivu, Naval spokesman Commander Indika Silva said.

The Indian fishermen will be handed over to the police at the port city of Trincomalee.

Sri Lankan fishermen have been complaining that since the advent of new government in Sri Lanka, the number of Indian fishermen breaching the country's waters for illegal fishing have been increasing.

The talks between Sri Lanka and India on the fishermen issue scheduled for March 5 have been postponed, Sri Lankan fisheries officials said.