11 Tamil Nadu fishermen return to Chennai after release from Sri Lanka
Chennai, February 19
11 Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were released from a prison in Sri Lanka, returned to Chennai by flight on Thursday.
The fishermen landed at Chennai airport from Colombo on an IndiGo Airlines passenger flight. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department received them and arranged vehicles to send them to their native districts of Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai.
Of the 11 fishermen, four belonged to Ramanathapuram district, while seven are from Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai. On July 23, 2025, they had ventured into the sea in a mechanised boat for fishing.
During the early hours, a Sri Lankan naval patrol vessel intercepted their boat. The Sri Lankan authorities alleged that the fishermen had crossed the maritime boundary and were fishing in Sri Lankan waters. All 11 were arrested.
Authorities also seized their fishing nets, the catch and the mechanised boat. The fishermen were later produced before a court in Sri Lanka and were imprisoned.
Following their arrest, the families of these fishermen had appealed to the government seeking steps for their release. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting intervention.
Officials of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka held discussions with Sri Lankan authorities. A Sri Lankan court subsequently ordered the release of the fishermen, and they were handed over to Indian High Commission officials.
Medical examinations were conducted, and Emergency Certificates were issued before arrangements were made for their return to India.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 22 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized four fishing boats in two separate incidents on Wednesday, triggering unrest among the fishing community, according to the Vice President of the National Fishermen Association, CR Senthilvel.
Speaking to ANI, Senthilvel said, "While more than 450 fishing boats from Rameswaram had gone out to sea yesterday, they were fishing in the Gulf of Mannar between Dhanushkodi and Thalaimannar when the Sri Lankan Navy arrived in the area and arrested three fishing boats from Rameswaram and 18 fishermen from them, claiming that they had fished across the border."
Senthilvel further informed that in a separate incident, a boat from Mandapam was intercepted near Neduntheevu in the Palk Strait. Four fishermen on board were taken into custody, and the boat was seized for inquiry. Senthilvel said, "The detentions have led to tension among families and boat owners in Rameswaram and Mandapam."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Thank God they are back. Can't imagine the trauma their families went through for months. The state and central governments worked well together this time to secure their release. Hope the same urgency is shown for the 22 fishermen detained just now.
While I'm glad for their return, this is a complex issue. Both countries have legitimate concerns - livelihoods for Indian fishermen and resource protection for Sri Lanka. Sustained diplomatic dialogue is the only way forward, not just reactive measures after each arrest.
As someone from the community, this news is bittersweet. Yes, 11 are back, but 22 more are in custody. The Palk Strait is our traditional fishing ground. The governments need to sit down and finalize the boundary once and for all. This uncertainty is killing us.
The real heroes are the families who kept the pressure on. Their appeals and protests made the government act. Welcome back to all the fishermen! 🎉 Now, please provide them some compensation for their lost boat and nets. They have suffered enough financial loss.
This happens too often. Is there no technology available to warn our fishermen when they are nearing the maritime boundary? A simple GPS alert system on their boats could prevent so many of these incidents. Prevention is better than diplomatic rescue missions.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.