The release of 19 Indian fishermen comes amidst a row over the Katchatheevu island after India's ruling BJP blamed the Congress for ceding the islet to Sri Lanka in 1974.
19 fishermen return to India. (IndiaInSL/ X)
As many as 19 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lanka Navy were on Wednesday, 3 April, repatriated to India, the Indian High Commission said. The Navy has so far held 23 Indian trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the island nation’s waters thus far in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action, the Sri Lankan Navy late last month confirmed.