Sri Lankan Navy Arrests 10 Indian Fishermen in Second Poaching Incident This Week

Colombo: Tensions simmered along the Palk Strait as the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended ten Indian fishermen and seized their trawler on Sunday. This incident comes just two days after the arrest of twelve other Indian fishermen for alleged poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

The arrest took place north of Point Pedro, Jaffna, as reported in a press release by the Sri Lanka Navy. The detained fishermen were escorted to the Kankesanthurai harbour and are set to be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for further action.

Tensions over the long-standing issue of fishermen crossing territorial boundaries have strained relations between India and Sri Lanka. The Palk Strait, a vital fishing ground between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, has been a hotspot for such incidents.

This latest development adds to a series of confrontations, with Sri Lankan Navy personnel previously firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats. The ongoing challenge involves Indian fishermen allegedly entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.

In 2023, Sri Lanka’s Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers for poaching in its waters. The matter continues to be a contentious issue, requiring diplomatic attention to address the recurring conflicts over maritime boundaries.