Sri Lanka releases 33 Indian fishermen
"Under the direction of His Excellency the president steps have been taken to repatriate 33 Indian fishermen in the Sri Lanka custody with the immediate effect on 05th June 2014, " the Sri Lankan Navy said in a statement.
"As a humanitarian gesture SLN has assisted the repatriation of Indian fishermen released from Sri Lankan custody after their arrest for poaching on the Sri Lankan waters," the country's naval security force said.
"SLN vessels were deployed to escort them to the IMBL as well as to rescue the Indian fishermen in distress and assist the salvage of Indian fishing boats stranded due to mechanical defect. They were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard Ship “Rajkamal” at the seas off Mannar. Naval Patrol Craft attached to North Central Naval Command were deployed for the humanitarian mission," the statement said.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin on Thursday tweeted: "Yes 33 fishermen have been released by Sri Lanka and handed over to Indian Coast Guard today afternoon."
The Sri Lankan Navy earlier arrested the fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and detained six boats.
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa had earlier too ordered the release of arrested Indian fishermen to show a goodwill measure to mark the occasion of PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by him.
The talks between India and Sri Lanka on the fishermen issue had ended in deadlock early last month. The negotiators are likely to meet again this month.
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