Sri Lankan court orders release of 29 fishermen

A court in Sri Lanka today ordered the release of 29 fishermen from this coastal town, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy personnel on May 31 near Katchteevu islet, officials here said.
The magistrate of the court in Mannar, Aanandhi Kanagarathinam, ordered their release today after the fishermen were produced in court, they said.
However, the magistrate said their six boats had been seized as they had used banned nets for fishing.
The fishermen were part of a group who set out in 727 boats from here on May 31 and were arrested while fishing near Katchatheevu, ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974. They were later taken to Thalaimannar.

The 29 fishermen, along with four others, who strayed into Sri Lankan waters on June 1 after their boat developed a technical snag were expected to be be handed over to Indian Coast Guard at International Maritime Boundary Line tomorrow, U Arulanandam, President of Pamban fishermen's Association, said.