The High Commission of India is pleased to confirm that five Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death by the Hon’ble Colombo High Court on October 30, 2014, were today released from prison for being sent back to India.

We are deeply grateful to His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, for this humanitarian gesture, which will further strengthen the strong and multi-faceted relations between India and Sri Lanka.

It may be recalled that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, and H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa spoke on telephone on November 9, 2014.

The High Commissioner of India, Shri Y. K. Sinha, met the five fishermen after their release to ascertain their well being.

The High Commission is making necessary arrangements for the early return of the fishermen to India.

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