Indian trawlers released from Sri Lankan custody

7 Indian fishing trawlers held by the Sri Lanka Navy, while engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters, were released from Sri Lankan custody on December 19, with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. 

The Sri Lankan Navy said the trawlers released had been seized in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for trespassing on Sri Lankan territorial waters.  Reportedly, the Fast Attack Craft CG 402 of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard assisted the handing over of seven trawlers to the Indian Coast Guard Ship Ameya at the IMBL north of Kankesanthurei last evening. These trawlers tied at the docks of Trincomalee and Jaffna were repaired by a dedicated team of Indian engineers who recently arrived in Sri Lanka, before their release.