Sri Lanka decides to free all Indian fishermen in custody

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka on Monday announced it has decided to free Indian fishermen who are now in custody for violating maritime boundary laws.

Fisheries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that the government has decided to release 34 Indian fishermen.

The move followed talks held between President Maithripala Sirisena and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.

Following the talks it was reported that both sides sought a permanent solution to the issue of frequent arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and that India reiterated the need to build a dedicated mechanism.

The Ministry of External Affairs in India had said last week that Sri Lanka currently holds 34 Indian fishermen and 96 Indian fishing boats in custody.