Sri Lanka Navy arrests nine Indian fishermen and seizes trawler

The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted an Indian fishing trawler north of Talaimannar on 22 July 2026, arresting nine Indian fishermen for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and conducting illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters. The vessel and equipment were seized and later handed to the Fisheries Inspector in Mannar for legal proceedings under Sri Lankan fisheries law.

The incident adds to a long‑standing dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, where Tamil Nadu fishers frequently enter Sri Lankan waters. Sri Lankan authorities say that, as of mid‑April 2026, 128 Indian fishermen had been arrested and 18 trawlers seized for alleged poaching, prompting intensified maritime patrols to protect marine resources.

Both governments have highlighted the need for dialogue to address the recurring incursions that strain bilateral relations and affect local livelihoods.