Sri Lankan Navy Apprehends 10 Indian Fishermen & Seizes Boat for Intrusion into Territorial Waters
Colombo: In the latest development of an ongoing maritime dispute, the Sri Lankan Navy has apprehended 10 Indian fishermen and impounded their boat for allegedly fishing within the nation’s territorial waters. This marks the second incident of its kind within a month, raising tensions between the two neighboring countries.
According to a press release issued by the Sri Lankan Navy, the fishermen were captured off the coast of Alampil in Mullaitivu on August 7. All of the detained individuals are reported to be from Tamil Nadu, India.
The Captured fishing boat, along with its crew of 10 fishermen, has been transported to Trincomalee port. The Sri Lanka Coast Guard will subsequently transfer them to the Assistant Director of Fisheries-Trincomalee for further legal proceedings, as stated in the navy’s official statement.
A Parallel occurrence transpired last month on the night of July 24, when the Sri Lankan Navy detained nine Indian fishermen and seized two boats for their alleged infringement of Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. So far this year, the Sri Lankan Navy has confiscated a total of 14 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 93 Indian fishermen, highlighting the persisting tensions in the region.
