Twenty-five Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy during an operation carried out off Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, early this morning.
The Navy also seized two Indian fishing boats while the fishermen were allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
According to the Navy, the operation was conducted by the Northern Naval Command after a group of Indian fishing vessels was spotted engaging in illegal fishing within Sri Lankan territorial waters.
Naval craft were deployed to drive away the vessels, and boarding operations led to the seizure of two boats and the apprehension of 25 fishermen who remained in the area.
The Sri Lanka Navy said it continues to conduct regular operations to prevent illegal fishing by foreign vessels, citing the impact of poaching on marine resources and the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
The arrested fishermen and the seized boats are to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna. (Newswire)