37 Indian fishermen remanded in custody in Sri Lanka

Arrests follow orders from President Maithripala Sirisena to seize boats violating country's territorial waters

A Sri Lankan court today remanded 37 Indian fishermen, arrested by navy for allegedly straying into the country's waters, in judicial custody till April 17.

The 37 Indian fishermen were arrested yesterday and five boats were seized off the island's northern coast in Point Pedro, Sri Lankan Naval spokesman Commander Indika Silva had said.

They were arrested a day after President Maithripala Sirisena said he had issued instructions to seize boats that violate the country's territorial waters.

Sirisena dismissed opposition's claim that his government has given fishing rights to Indians.

Opposition group National Freedom Front had alleged that the government had given fishing rights to Indians in Sri Lankan waters as an appeasement policy towards India.

The two countries held fishermen-level talks in Chennai last month.

The Indian fishermen had reportedly called for 83 days per year for three years to fish in the Palk Strait, the narrow sea strip separating the two countries.