Sri Lanka Arrests 14 Indian Fishermen, Seizes 3 Boats On Poaching Charges

Sri Lankan Navy has arrested at least 14 Indian fishermen and seized their 3 trawlers for allegedly poaching in the country's territorial waters.

The arrests were made on Saturday in the seas north of the Delft Island, the Navy said in a statement on Sunday.

"Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 14 Indian fishermen along with 3 fishing trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters on December 28," the statement said.

The fishermen are expected to be handed over to the assistant director of fisheries in Jaffna after a medical examination for further action.

The Navy said that due to extensive patrols, the number of Indian fishing trawlers entering Sri Lankan waters have been significantly reduced.

In January 2018, Sri Lanka increased by over 100 times the fine on foreign vessels to deter them from fishing in its waters, amid the dispute over the frequent entry of Indian fishing trawlers into the country's maritime territory.