Fourteen Rameswaram fishermen, detained in Sri Lanka for allegedly crossing maritime boundaries on March 17, returned to Chennai on Friday night following diplomatic efforts initiated after Chief Minister MK Stalin’s intervention.

CHENNAI: Fourteen fishermen from Rameswaram, who were detained in Sri Lanka, arrived safely in Chennai on Friday night after their release from a Sri Lankan prison. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department welcomed them at the Chennai airport and arranged their transport back to Rameswaram.
The fishermen ventured out to sea on March 17 aboard a mechanised boat when they were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard. Although they were reportedly fishing within Indian waters, the fishermen were accused of crossing the maritime boundary. Their boat, fishing nets, and catch were confiscated, and all 14 were taken to Sri Lanka, where they were presented before a court and subsequently imprisoned.

After chief minister MK Stalin wrote to the union external affairs minister S Jaishankar to secure the immediate release of the detained fishermen, diplomatic efforts ensued. Officials from the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka engaged with Sri Lankan authorities, ultimately leading to a court order for the fishermen’s release.
Since the fishermen lacked passports, Indian embassy officials issued emergency certificates and made arrangements for their return. The 14 fishermen were flown from Colombo to Chennai on an Air India flight, with the embassy also facilitating their flight tickets.
Upon their arrival at Chennai airport on Friday night, the fisheries department officials received the fishermen and organised their journey back to Rameswaram in a vehicle provided by the state govt.