Stalin writes to Jaishankar seeking release of 87 fishermen detained in Sri Lanka

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting efforts to secure the expeditious release of 87 fishermen from the state detained in Sri Lanka.

The Chief Minister’s letter comes in the wake of the latest detention of nine fishermen and their boats from Rameshwaram on July 22.

Stalin requested the External Affairs Minister to initiate diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the 87 fishermen along with their 175 fishing boats, currently under custody in Sri Lanka.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also pointed out that the detention of fishermen from the state in Sri Lanka this year is the highest in 10 years.

“I am constrained to point out that during this calendar year up to 22nd July 2024 alone, 250 fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities, the highest since 2014. Incidents of intimidation and arrest of fishermen, seizure of their boats and fishing apparatus are continuing unabated. This has made the fishermen community extremely distressed,” Stalin said in his letter.

He urged that “earnest efforts are initiated through diplomatic channels to ease this situation” and requested the Centre to “address this issue comprehensively to secure the expeditious release of 87 fishermen and 175 boats from Sri Lanka.”