Lankan fishermen arrested off Chennai coast

Nine Sri Lankan fishermen who were fishing illegally in Krishnampattinam-Nizampattinam sea waters, off North Chennai and Andhra coast were nabbed by the Coast Guard. They were in two boats.

The Coast Guard got a tip-off from a surveillance aircraft and rushed to the spot, where the two boats were fishing. They were arrested, their boats seized and also their three ton fish catch impounded. The nine fisher men were handed over to Kasimodu police in the city.

They said they had started five days ago from Trincomalee and had reportedly lost their way and drifted into Indian waters.

Although their statements seemed to be contradictory, it was found that they were just fishermen and nothing other than their catch was found with them. They were produced before George Town court and remanded to judicial custody in Puzhal prison.

The names of the arrested fishermen are Sunil Shanth (40), Amila Ranga (27), Haman (43), Mallinatan (27), Sasika Sakshath (27), Priya Sismiral (34), Simath Kumara (24), Jagath Kumara (28) and Vimikal Nimanda (22).