Indian trawlers trespass the Sri Lankan waters apprehended by Navy
 

Twenty (20) Indian fishermen who were apprehended by SL Navy on last 12th and 13th and another 8 Indian fishermen who were rescued by the Navy, have been handed over to the respective Regional offices of Fisheries Inspector and the Police stations.

It was later revealed that five of the rescued fishermen were onboard an Indian trawler which was drawn due to a severe water leak in the engine room, while it was being towed to Karainagar by SL Navy.

Further, at the moment of apprehension of the trespassed Indian trawlers, fishermen onboard one trawler had reacted violently and carelessly with aggressive maneuvers for a escape and collided with a naval craft resulting damages to it and sank the Indian trawler.

Three fishermen of the distressed trawler were rescued by the Navy and a dead body of a missed fisherman due to collision was recovered in a search operation carried out by the Navy as per the information given by the rescued fishermen

It has been observed that in recent times, there is a tendency of escaping attempts with violent acts and aggressive maneuvers by the Indian poachers who illegally enter the Sri Lankan waters.

Moreover, these Indian poachers constantly damage and destroy the nets and other fishing gears owned by local fishing community.

However, Sri Lanka Navy will continue apprehension of any poachers into Sri Lankan territorial waters and take necessary steps to safeguard the local fishermen and the marine resources as well.