New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Thursday spoke to his Sri Lankan counterpart G.L. Peiris and hoped that Colombo will take all the necessary steps to release the arrested Indian fishermen.

‘I am hopeful that the Sri Lankan government will take all the necessary steps to release all Indian fishermen,’ Krishna told reporters here after telephonic conversation with Peiris.

‘Both governments must sort out the issue amicably,’ he said.

A total of 142 Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy over the last few days for allegedly straying into the country’s waters, creating a massive furore in Tamil Nadu.