Colombo, May 7 (Xinhua-ANI): Sri Lanka's Fisheries Ministry said Monday that it was making arrangement to bring back six fishermen arrested by Indian coast guards for breaching the Indian maritime boarders.
Ministry Secretary Damitha de Soyza told Xinhua that the Sri Lankan government through the ministry would get the fishermen released but it would take time depending on the state where they were taken into custody.
It is reported that Indian coast guards arrested the six fishermen for illegally fishing in Indian waters.
The Indian coast guards have seized the boat together with over 500 kg of tuna.
With the latest arrest, the number of Sri Lankan fishermen under Indian custody reached 32 while the number of boats in their custody was seven.
The ministry official said that 26 Sri Lankan fishermen under the custody of the Tamil Nadu authorities are to be released within the next two weeks.
Poaching in each others'waters by fishermen in both countries have led to diplomatic rift. Indian fishermen have often accused the Sri Lankan navy of attacking them when they allegedly catch fish near the boundary line or in Sri Lankan waters.
In April, a government minister from Sri Lanka's northern territory threatened to take some 5,000 fishermen to India to protest against poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. (Xinhua-ANI)
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