Steps taken to get boats of Indian fishermen released

With Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse ordering release of all Indian fishermen in custody in the island nation, BJP today said steps had also been taken to get their boats released.

This was informed to Fishermen's Association president Bose by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj after state BJP President and Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Pon Radhakrishnan took up the matter with her, a release from the party's state unit here said.

During his meeting with Swaraj on Wednesday, Radhakrishnan "insisted that along with the fishermen, their boats also must be released," it said.

Subsequently, Swaraj spoke to Bose over phone from Delhi and 'assured him that steps have been taken for the release of boats along with the fishermen,' it said.

In yet another goodwill gesture, the Sri Lankan President had yesterday ordered release of all Indian fishermen in his country's custody on the occasion of India's Independence Day.

Sri Lanka has released 225 Indian fishermen since the Narendra Modi government took over in May this year.