Navy denies attacking Indian fishermen

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) yesterday denied attacking four Indian fishermen off Katchchathivu island as reported by the Indian media.

The Indian media charged that navy personnel had beaten the four fishermen with nylon ropes for crossing the India- Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary.

Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said such allegations are levelled at the navy from time to time.

“We do not harass them. If they are found inside our territorial waters, we arrest them and hand them over to the police. A similar incident took place last week when nine Indian fishermen were arrested for trespassing,” he said.

“Nothing of this sort has taken place and what the navy has been doing was repatriating them as most are found drifting into the seas when their trawlers are faced with engine trouble”, he noted.

According to the Indian media, the four fishermen were part of about 3,000 fishermen who had put out to

According to the Indian media, the four fishermen were part of about 3,000 fishermen who had put out to sea last night from Tamil Nadu in 676 boat

sea last night from Tamil Nadu in 676 boats. The media reports said the SLN had surrounded the boats and threatened them to leave at gun point.

Instances of Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan waters have become frequent, causing problems for both governments. Sri Lankan fishermen are also arrested by Indian authorities for crossing the India- Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary.