Colombo, Feb 18 (IANS) A court in Sri Lanka Friday ordered the release of 136 Indian fishermen who had been kept in custody in the island’s northern Jaffna region, a media report said.
The district court in Point Pedro town ordered the release, the Daily Mirror reported.
The fishermen and their 25 boats would be handed over to Indian authorities by the Sri Lanka Navy. They will be escorted and handed over to the Indian Coast Guard at the maritime border.
Sources said the Sri Lankan judicial authorities agreed to release the fishermen after consultations with the government, following an official request from India.
On Tuesday evening, 112 Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters were apprehended by authorities. They were later produced before the Point Pedro magistrate, who remanded them till Feb 28.
Another group of 24 Indian fishermen was apprehended Wednesday evening for entering Sri Lankan waters. They were remanded till March 1.
