The Sri Lankan fisheries administration has released two fishermen from Andhra Pradesh, jailed in Sri Lanka for entering its territorial waters, following efforts by Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu.
The Minister’s office confirmed the incident yesterday, saying that both fishermen are expected to return soon after the completion of legal formalities.
The fishermen, who belong to the Srikakulam district, have been detained in Sri Lanka for over three months. “Two fishermen from Srikakulam district, who were jailed in Sri Lanka for the past three-four months after accidentally entering Sri Lankan waters, have been granted release,” a press release from Naidu’s office stated. D Venkaiah (35) and G Korlaiah (33) from Peda Ganagallavanipet village of Srikakulam district ventured into the Bay of Bengal from Chennai on June 25 but were apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities later, it said.
Subsequently, the families of the fishermen approached the Aviation Minister, prompting him to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy to secure their release. The issue of fishermen jailed in both countries is likely to figure in the talks between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
– Republic
