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Key Points

Fourteen fishermen from Rameswaram have sailed to Sri Lanka to begin reclaiming their boats. The vessels were seized by the Sri Lankan Navy back in 2021-22 for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary. After a long legal battle, Sri Lankan courts have finally ordered the release of these boats. The fishermen will now inspect their vessels' condition before attempting to bring them home.

Key Points: Rameswaram Fishermen Travel to Jaffna to Reclaim Seized Boats

  • 14 fishermen from Rameswaram travel to Jaffna to inspect their boats
  • Sri Lankan courts ordered the release of 12 seized Indian fishing vessels
  • Boats were confiscated in 2021-22 for crossing maritime boundary
  • Many vessels require extensive repairs after 3 years in custody
2 min read

14 Rameswaram fishermen travel to Jaffna to reclaim Indian fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody

14 fishermen from Tamil Nadu sail to Sri Lanka to reclaim fishing boats seized by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2021-22 after a lengthy legal battle and court-ordered release.

"The release of these boats is the result of a long legal battle fought by the owners. Their livelihoods were affected all these years - Jesu Raja, Fishermen Association Leader"

Chennai, Aug 25

Fourteen fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu left for Sri Lanka on Monday to begin the process of reclaiming Indian fishing boats that had been in Sri Lankan custody for more than three years.

The vessels were among several seized by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2021-22 for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Following petitions filed by boat owners, Sri Lankan courts recently ordered the release of 12 boats docked at Myliddy harbour in Jaffna district. With official permission granted by Colombo, the fishermen have now sailed to inspect the condition of their vessels.

“The release of these boats is the result of a long legal battle fought by the owners. Their livelihoods were affected all these years, and now they finally have a chance to recover their means of work,” said the fishermen association leader Jesu Raja, who is also part of the team.

The fishermen will be escorted by the Sri Lankan Navy from the IMBL to Myliddy harbour, where they will verify the seaworthiness of the trawlers. Many of the boats are expected to need extensive repairs before they can return to active service, given their prolonged stay in harbour.

Among those who made the journey are trawler owners R. Hariharan, V. Vinaltan, J. Michael Raj, D. Charles, A. Irudaya Raj, N. Dakshinamoorthy, and L. Velmurugan, accompanied by crew members B. Jesu Raja, B. Vinnarasan, J. Alex Daniel, A. Thibision, C. Satheesh, S. Naganathan, and S. Ramanathan.

The fishing community in Rameswaram has welcomed the development as a small but significant step forward. However, fishermen leaders stressed that unless India and Sri Lanka reach a sustainable agreement on fishing rights, recurring arrests, confiscations, and courtroom battles will continue to threaten the fragile livelihood of Tamil Nadu’s coastal families.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is a positive step but the real solution lies in proper demarcation and agreement between both countries. Our fishermen shouldn't have to live in constant fear of crossing invisible boundaries.
M
Michael C
Three years to get their boats back? That's an incredibly long time for these hardworking people. The legal process should be faster - these are people's livelihoods we're talking about.
A
Aryan P
Hope the boats are in repairable condition. After 3 years in harbor, they must have suffered significant damage. Government should provide repair subsidies to these fishermen.
S
Sarah B
While I'm happy for the fishermen, we must also consider that there are reasons for maritime boundaries. Sustainable fishing practices and respecting international laws benefit everyone in the long run.
K
Karthik V
This issue affects thousands of Tamil Nadu families. The central and state governments need to work on a permanent solution through diplomatic channels. Band-aid solutions won't work anymore.

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