Tamil fishermen's arrest by Sri Lankan Navy: Stalin writes to Jaishankar

Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, drawing his attention to the apprehension of four fishermen from Tamil Nadu on Tuesday by the Sri Lankan Navy and requesting him to urgently prevail upon the Sri Lankan government for the release of the fishermen and their fishing boats..

"These fishermen, who set out from the Kottaipattinam fishing harbour in Pudukottai District, on their mechanised fishing boat bearing Registration No.IND-TN-08-MM-05, were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy on 18.06.2024, Stalin said in his letter on Wednesday.

Such incidents not only disrupted the livelihoods of the fishermen but also instilled a sense of fear and uncertainty among their families and the entire coastal communities, he said, adding: ‘Currently, 15 fishermen and 162 fishing boats are still under the custody of the Sri Lankan Government.’

He requested Jaishankar to approach the government of the island nation through appropriate diplomatic channels for the immediate release of all the fishermen from Tamil Nadu and their fishing boats.