Lanka releases 22 TN fishermen as FM steps in

Sri Lankan authorities released 22 dhow (country boat) fishermen from Tamil Nadu detained by them earlier in the day on charges of poaching in their territorial waters after Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman intervened in the matter. The two dhows seized by the Lankan side were also released and the fishermen allowed to sail back on their crafts. Sitharaman had come to Rameswaram to distribute welfare measures under the Prime Minister’s SVANidhi (The PM Street Vendors’ Atmanirbharnidhi). Knowing about it, district president of Country Boat Fishermen Welfare Association SP Rayappan met her and urged her to intervene in the matter. Sitharaman contacted officials of the external affairs ministry and urged them to step in. “She called important people, including some in Sri Lanka, and assured us that the arrested fishermen would be released,” said Rayappan.