Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Urges Jaishankar to Secure Release of Fishermen in Sri Lankan Custody

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take urgent diplomatic steps to secure the release of six fishermen from the state who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, along with the return of their seized fishing boat. The appeal comes amid continued tensions in the Palk Strait region and recurring incidents involving Indian fishermen.

In his letter to the Union Minister, Chief Minister Vijay raised concern over the arrest of six fishermen from Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district. The fishermen—identified as Alex, Antony Rajan, Santhana Arokiyas, Arul D’Britto, Albert, and Sahaya Selvasanu—were detained on Tuesday by Sri Lankan naval personnel for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

According to the communication, the fishermen had set out to sea on May 10 in a country boat for routine fishing activity before being apprehended on May 12. The Chief Minister noted that such incidents have become increasingly frequent, creating distress among coastal communities that depend heavily on fishing for their livelihood in the region.

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Vijay also highlighted the broader scale of the issue, stating that 54 Tamil Nadu fishermen are currently lodged in Sri Lankan prisons following earlier arrests. He further pointed out that Sri Lankan authorities have seized 264 fishing boats belonging to Tamil Nadu fishermen, adding to the economic strain faced by affected families.

Calling the situation a serious humanitarian and livelihood concern, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to immediately engage with Sri Lankan authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels. He requested urgent action to ensure the release of the detained fishermen and the return of their boats at the earliest, emphasizing the need for a humane and lasting resolution.

The letter comes amid ongoing friction in the Palk Bay and Palk Strait areas, where fishing-related disputes between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy have persisted for years despite multiple rounds of bilateral discussions. The Tamil Nadu government has consistently called for a sensitive and permanent solution to protect traditional fishing rights while preventing further arrests and seizures.

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