Lankan Navy arrested 14 Indian fishermen

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested at least 14 Indian fishermen and seized 3 of their trawlers for alleged poaching in the country’s territorial waters. The arrests were made at sea north of Delft Island, Navale said in a statement on Sunday.

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The statement said the Sri Lankan Navy caught 14 Indian fishermen along with 3 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters on 28 December.

The fishermen are expected to hand over the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Jaffna after a medical examination for further action. The navy said that due to extensive patrolling, the number of Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters has decreased significantly.

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In January 2018, amid controversy over the frequent entry of Indian fishermen into the country’s maritime territory, Sri Lanka increased the fines on foreign vessels by 100 times.