In the early hours of Sunday, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 23 Tamil fishermen, accusing them of violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The navy also confiscated three mechanised boats in the operation as reported by the coastal police authorities of Tamil Nadu.
Since June 16, 2024, Sri Lanka has made 425 similar arrests, seizing a total of 58 boats. Numerous Tamil fishermen are still imprisoned in Sri Lanka. Anbumani Ramadoss, President of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has beckoned the Union External Affairs Minister to resolve the continuing maritime arrests of Tamil fishermen.
In spite of raising concerns on this matter during a recent Sri Lanka visit, the arrests persist. In response, Tamil Nadu’s fishermen association leaders are organizing statewide protests. According to A Thajudhin, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Peravai, the recurring arrests pose serious threats to fishers’ livelihoods and instil fear among them.
The Sri Lankan government’s nationalization of seized mechanised fishing boats has further increased concerns. Fishermen’s associations are petitioning the Prime Minister, requiring intervention and cessation of maritime arrests that affect the fishing industry significantly.
K M Periasamy, a fisherman leader, indicates grave distress among fishermen’s families and a financial burden posed by mechanised boat seizures. He stresses the importance of government intervention to protect fishermen who operate in high seas not for crime but for fishing. The coastal districts of Tamil Nadu are poised for major protests against the continuing arrests.
In a related event, an Indian fisherman died in a boat collision with a Sri Lankan coastal patrol vehicle in August 2023.
