Sri Lanka on Monday repatriated 19 Indian fishermen who had been detained for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), even as 82 others continue to remain in custody, highlighting the ongoing sensitivity of the issue between the two neighbouring countries. The fishermen reached India on the same evening following their release.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that the fishermen were being sent back on Monday and were expected to arrive home by the evening. The repatriation comes amid continued diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Colombo over repeated incidents of detention of Indian fishing crews.

The long-standing issue of Indian fishermen being apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities remains a persistent irritant in bilateral relations. In 2025 alone, at least 360 Indian fishermen were detained by Sri Lankan agencies for alleged IMBL violations, of whom 339 have already been released and repatriated through coordinated diplomatic efforts.

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According to official figures, 104 fishermen have been detained so far this year, with 30 already released and returned to India. Another 30 have also been freed and are currently completing procedural formalities before repatriation. However, 82 Indian fishermen still remain in Sri Lankan custody, including 31 awaiting trial and 51 serving sentences under Sri Lankan law.

The issue has been consistently raised by India through diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently discussed the matter with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during high-level engagements, urging that the issue be treated on humanitarian grounds given its direct impact on livelihoods in coastal communities. He also called for the early release of detained fishermen and the return of their boats.

There have been several recent developments in Sri Lankan courts as well. On March 31, a court ordered the release of 25 Indian fishermen, including individuals from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, who had been detained in February. In a notable deviation from past practice, even boat owners and skippers were released in that case.

Subsequently, another 24 Indian fishermen were also freed, receiving suspended sentences before being repatriated in phases. Despite these releases, the continued detention of dozens of fishermen underscores the recurring nature of maritime boundary disputes in the region and the ongoing need for sustained diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

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