Global News

 Sri Lanka Navy Wednesday arrested four fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly breaching the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command in a Fast Attack Craft arrested the four fishermen along with a fishing trawler engaged in illegal fishing practices in Sri Lankan territorial waters in the sea area off the Kovilam Lighthouse on July 24. .

The apprehended persons and their trawler being subsequently handed over to a craft of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and they were escorted to the naval base SLNS Elara.

These fishermen are expected to be handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Jaffna for onward action, after a medical examination.

Sri Lankan Navy says as a result of continuous patrols conducted by the Navy, the number of Indian fishing trawlers that are trespassing the Sri Lankan territorial waters has significantly reduced. Further, the Navy said it will continue to utilize its resources effectively for the protection of local fishermen as well as the preservation of fish stocks in island’s territorial waters.