Sri Lanka Navy Arrests 34 Indian Fishermen; TN CM Flags Matter With Centre

Chennai: As many as 34 Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu, chief minister M K Stalin said on Sunday.

The Tamil Nadu CM urged the Central government to take action for the immediate release of the fishermen, 32 of whom are from Tamil Nadu and 2 from Kerala, reported PTI.

The fishermen, who had gone out from Rameswaram fishing harbour in three mechanised boats, were arrested on January 25 along with their boats, Stalin told Union External Affairs minister S Jaishankar.

“They were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing near Dhanushkodi on 25.01.2025. The frequent detentions of our fishermen has put the coastal communities into a perpetual sense of anxiety and apprehension, as their future is made uncertain and bleak. It is high time concrete diplomatic steps are taken to prevent our fishermen from being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy,” Stalin said.

“I therefore request you to take necessary urgent action through diplomatic channels to prevent the arrests of our fishermen and to secure the immediate release of all the arrested fishermen and their fishing boats from the Sri Lankan authorities,” Stalin added.