Sri Lanka: At least 35 Indian fishermen were arrested and four of their trawlers seized by the Sri Lankan Navy during an overnight operation that ended early Monday. Navy spokesperson Commander Buddika Sampath confirmed that the arrests took place near Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna district.
The detained fishermen, accused of illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, will be handed over to the northern fisheries inspectorate for further legal action. This marks the second such operation within a month.
On October 9, Sri Lankan authorities had detained 47 Indian fishermen and seized five trawlers near Talaimannar, also in the island’s north. The recurring arrests highlight the ongoing maritime dispute between the two countries, particularly over fishing rights in the Palk Strait — a narrow stretch of sea that separates Tamil Nadu from northern Sri Lanka.
The issue continues to strain bilateral ties, with frequent allegations of harassment and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy against Indian fishermen crossing maritime boundaries.
