37 Tamil Nadu fishermen set free by Sri Lankan court

RAMESWARAM: Thirty-seven Indian fishermen, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on April 3 for allegedly poaching in the island's waters, were today ordered to be released by a local court in line with an assurance by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Judicial Magistrate court at Paruthithurai in Sri lanka ordered the release of the 37 fishermen from Jagadapattinam and Nagapattinam, fisheries department officials and local fishermen's association President N Devadoss said.

According to information received from Sri Lankan officials, the fishermen were produced before the Judicial magistrate court and ordered to be released, they told PTI.

The fishermen, detained along with five boats off Sri Lanka's northern coast in Point Pedro, were expected to return here tomorrow, they added.

They were were arrested and five boats seized off the island's northern coast in Point Pedro.

Though the court had two days ago extended their judicial remand till May 27, on the orders of the Lankan President they were produced before the court today.

Maithripala had assured to take steps for the release of the fishermen when a delegation of five fishermen association leaders, including Devadoss, called on him in Colombo recently.