Fifteen Indian fishermen held for poaching in Lankan watersNewsSri Lanka Navy has captured 15 Indian fishermen who were intruding into local marine zones off the Kovilan Lighthouse in Karainagar during a special naval operation conducted in the early hours of today (Mar. The Mailadi Fisheries Inspector will receive the seized trawler (01) and the fifteen Indian fishermen who were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour for further legal proceedings. A special operation was carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy to drive Indian poaching trawlers out of Sri Lankan waters. When the Northern Naval Command noticed that many Indian poaching trawlers were fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, they dispatched Fast Attack Craft to chase them away which led to their capture as they continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters. Following this most recent arrest, the Navy has apprehended 16 Indian poaching trawlers and 125 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters in 2024; they have since been turned over to the relevant authorities for onward legal action.

Source: Sunday Times March 15, 2024 08:22 UTC