Sri Lankan navy arrests 14 Indian fishermen for poaching in Mannar waters
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The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 14 Indian fishermen on Wednesday for allegedly fishing within its territorial waters off the northeastern coast of Mannar.
Additionally, two Indian fishing trawlers were seized during the operation.
This latest incident brings the total number of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy this year to 529, along with 68 confiscated trawlers. Earlier this week, 18 Indian fishermen were detained in the northern Vettilaikerni area.
The arrests highlight the ongoing tensions over fishing rights in the Palk Strait, a narrow body of water separating India’s Tamil Nadu state from Sri Lanka. This area serves as a lucrative fishing ground for fishermen from both nations, but frequent trespassing into each other's waters has led to numerous detentions.
The issue remains a sensitive point in India-Sri Lanka relations. Fishermen from both sides often cite inadvertent crossings as the reason for these violations. The Sri Lankan Navy has previously been accused of using force, including firing at Indian fishermen, in incidents involving alleged trespassing.
Last month, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha discussed the need for a long-term resolution to the fishing disputes. Despite such talks, arrests and boat seizures have continued to strain bilateral ties.
In 2023, Sri Lanka’s Navy detained 240 Indian fishermen on similar charges of illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, underscoring the urgency for a diplomatic and sustainable solution to the recurring problem.