'India taking steps to secure release of 5 fishermen'

India is taking steps to secure the release of five fishermen taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy in 2011 on the charge of smuggling narcotics, a top official said here today.
"Efforts are on to get the release of five fishermen who were taken into custody by Sri Lankan navalmen on charges of smuggling narcotics in 2011," Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K Kantha said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of St Anthony's church festival at Katchatheevu islet, he said, it was held peacefully this year due to cooperation between the two countries.
He also expressed happiness over increase in the number of devotees attending the festival over the years and assured that more basic amenities would be made available for pilgrims in future with the help of Lankan Government.

Katchatheevu is an islet ceded by India to Sri Lanka in the 1970s.