Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 21: A group of 15 Indian fishermen who were repatriated from Sri Lanka arrived in Chennai on Thursday evening, officials confirmed. They will be sent to their respective homes soon.
The official handle of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka shared an update on social media, stating, “Back home! 15 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka last evening.”
This repatriation comes after a series of protests by opposition MPs from Tamil Nadu on February 7, who demanded the immediate return of Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities. The MPs raised slogans and held banners at the Parliament premises to bring attention to the issue.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Central Government to take diplomatic measures to ensure the release of the detained fishermen and their boats. He further called for sustained diplomatic efforts to safeguard the livelihoods of fishermen and prevent future confrontations.
In another related incident, 41 Indian fishermen who were detained by Sri Lankan forces earlier, arrived in Chennai on February 6. They will be sent to their respective districts, with 35 fishermen from Ramanathapuram, who had been arrested near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024. The Sri Lankan Navy had claimed that these fishermen were involved in cross-border fishing activities, a recurring issue in the region.
This marks the continuation of efforts to address the issue of Indian fishermen being detained in Sri Lankan waters, with earlier releases also secured by government intervention. On January 16, 15 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka, following their arrest in separate incidents in 2024.
Additionally, on January 5, the Indian Coast Guard facilitated the repatriation of 95 Indian fishermen and four fishing boats from Bangladesh.