Sri Lanka Navy detains nine Indian fishermen near Neduntheevu

The Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended nine fishermen from Rameswaram, India, and seized their fishing trawler near Neduntheevu (Delft Island). The arrests occurred after the vessel allegedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line into Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The detained fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai Harbour and are expected to be handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for legal proceedings. This incident has sparked unrest in the Rameswaram fishing community. Karalmarks, President of the Fisherman Association, condemned the arrests, noting that the fishermen had obtained required pass permits from the Rameswaram token office before setting out to sea.

This event is part of a recurring dispute in the Palk Strait, where fishermen from both nations frequently face arrest or seizure of vessels due to maritime boundary disputes. Local representatives have called for intervention from the Indian central and Tamil Nadu state governments, urging bilateral talks to establish a lasting arrangement for peaceful fishing.

In a separate but related development, 16 other Rameswaram fishermen who were previously detained in Sri Lankan prisons were recently released after paying fines and were transported via flight to Chennai.