Due to adverse weather conditions presently obtaining in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, seven fishing trawlers with 29 Indian fishermen which had set off from Tamil Nadu had run aground or got damaged in Sri Lankan waters and have been rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy. Our High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate General in Jaffna have worked closely with the concerned local authorities to secure their immediate release and welfare. The fishermen are presently in Jaffna in an accommodation leased for this purpose by the Consulate, which has also arranged food, clothing, medical attention and other basic amenities for them.

The concerned authorities of the Government of Sri Lanka have agreed to provide their full cooperation in ensuring the repatriation of the fishermen to India as soon as weather conditions improve. Efforts are also being made for salvage boats from India to travel to Sri Lanka to repair the damaged boats and bring them back, if possible.

New Delhi