21 Indian Fishermen Return to Chennai After Sri Lankan Release

Chennai – Twenty-one Indian fishermen, recently jailed in Sri Lanka, have returned to India and arrived at Chennai airport today. Their release was facilitated by the Indian High Commission in Colombo. The Indian High Commission in Colombo announced the repatriation on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Repatriation! 21 Indian fishermen have been successfully repatriated and have left Colombo for Chennai.”

The fishermen’s release was secured on Thursday following intervention by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and the Consulate General in Jaffna. Prior to their release, officials from the Consulate General in Jaffna visited the Kites Police Station to meet two fishermen whose boat had capsized after a collision with a Sri Lankan Navy vessel. Indian Consul General Sai Murali inquired about the well-being of the fishermen, Muthumuniandu and Mookaiya, and assured them of all possible assistance. The consulate also facilitated communication between the fishermen and their families.

The incident involved a collision between a Sri Lankan naval vessel and an Indian fishing boat, which occurred 5 nautical miles north of Kachathivu Island. The accident resulted in the death of one Indian fisherman, with another still missing. The two remaining fishermen were rescued and brought ashore at Kankesanthurai. In response to the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over the death of the Indian fisherman .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *