Sri Lanka Won't Spare India: 32 Indian Fishermen Detained by Lankan Navy

The Sri Lankan Navy emphasized that the operation was part of its ongoing efforts to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign vessels, which pose a threat to the livelihoods of local fishermen.

Staff Reporter

Feb 25, 2025, 07:11 AM2 min read

Sri Lanka Won't Spare India: 32 Indian Fishermen Detained by Lankan Navy

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The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 Indian fishermen and seized five fishing boats for allegedly entering Sri Lankan territorial waters illegally. The arrests were made during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar, according to an official statement released by the Navy on Sunday(February 23).

The Sri Lankan Navy emphasized that the operation was part of its ongoing efforts to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign vessels, which pose a threat to the livelihoods of local fishermen. The detained fishermen and the seized boats have been brought to Talaimannar Pier, where they will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal proceedings.

“The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols in Sri Lankan waters to prevent illegal fishing by foreign vessels,” the statement said, underscoring the economic impact of such activities on Sri Lankan fishing communities.
This incident adds to a growing number of arrests in 2025, with 131 Indian fishermen and 18 boats already seized this year for similar offenses. The issue of fishermen crossing maritime boundaries has long been a sensitive matter in India-Sri Lanka relations, particularly in the Palk Strait, where several confrontations have occurred in recent years.
In 2024 alone, the Sri Lankan Navy reportedly arrested 529 Indian fishermen accused of poaching, highlighting the ongoing tensions and the need for diplomatic solutions between the two neighboring nations.

Adding to the rising tensions, observers note that Sri Lanka’s newly elected government appears to be adopting a more hardline stance toward India on maritime issues. This shift reflects a growing emphasis on safeguarding national interests and asserting control over Sri Lankan waters, potentially straining diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Colombo in the months ahead.
The Indian government has yet to issue an official response, but diplomatic efforts are likely to intensify as both nations seek to prevent further escalation of this longstanding maritime dispute.

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