A Five-Member Team Travels to Sri Lanka Today to Meet Fishermen Imprisoned in Sri Lankan Jails
Location: Rameswaram
Fishermen from Rameswaram and other coastal regions of Tamil Nadu frequently face attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing in the sea. Their boats are seized, and they are often arrested. This ongoing issue has created a serious threat to their livelihoods.
Condition of the Imprisoned Fishermen
Fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy are produced in local courts, but they are not immediately released. Instead, they are subjected to hefty fines, sometimes amounting to several lakhs of rupees. If they fail to pay, they remain in prison for extended periods. As a result, a large number of Tamil Nadu fishermen are currently languishing in Sri Lankan jails.
A Team Travels to Meet the Fishermen
To assess the condition of these imprisoned fishermen, a five-member team led by Rameswaram Mechanized Boat Fishermen’s Association Coordinator, Sesuraja, is traveling to Sri Lanka. The team departed from Mandapam last night by train.
Travel Schedule
🔹 Today (Tuesday) at 2:00 PM – The team will fly from Trichy to Colombo.
🔹 Six-day stay in Sri Lanka – They will visit the imprisoned fishermen and assess their situation.
🔹 Return on April 1st – They plan to negotiate with officials to ensure the release of the fishermen.
Inspection of Seized Boats and Efforts for a Permanent Solution
During their visit, the team will also inspect the boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy. Additionally, they plan to meet the Sri Lankan Minister of Fisheries to discuss the release of the imprisoned fishermen and seek a permanent solution to this ongoing issue.
Given the seriousness of the situation, the fishermen’s association has urged both the Indian and Tamil Nadu governments to intervene and support their efforts.