The Sri Lankan authorities on Friday released all the 136 Indian fishermen held d by its navy.
According to the Sri Lankan government, all fishermen who were arrested in Jaffna and Point Pedro along with their fishing boats have been released from the custody and handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy which will facilitate their return to India.
“136 Indian fishermen who were released on a court order will be escorted to India by the Sri Lankan Navy this evening,” it said in a statement.
Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has thanked his Srilankan counterpart GL Peiris for the gesture.
Earlier the Sri Lankan court had ordered the Indian fishermen to be kept in remand for fishing in Sri Lankan waters till Feb 28.
Sri Lanka said “these 136 fishermen will be escorted in the trawlers in which they had entered the Sri Lankan waters.”
Sri Lanka navy will accompany them and hand them over to the Indian Coast guards at the Indian maritime boarder.