50 Indian fishermen arrested by Lankan Navy

COLOMBO: Nearly 50 Indian fishermen were arrested today by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country's territorial waters.

The Indian fishermen were on board 12 trawlers. They have been accused of indulging in bottom trawling which is outlawed in Sri Lanka, Naval spokesman Commander Chaminda Walakuluge said.

They were escorted to the fisheries harbour in Karainagar in Jaffna. The fishermen would be handed over to the fisheries inspection office in Jaffna for further action, the Navy added.

Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently by the maritime security agencies of both countries for illegal fishing and often stray into illegal waters due to absence of any proper technology to confirm the coastline border between Pakistan and India near Sir Creek in the Arabian Sea.