Seven Indian fishermen from Rameswaram arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

In a fresh incident, seven fishermen from Rameswaram were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy personnel on charges of poaching in the wee hours of Thursday (March 26, 2026). Two mechanised trawlers were also impounded.

According to fisheries department officials, they had issued 365 tokens on Wednesday (March 25, 2026) from Rameswaram fish landing centre. The Sri Lankan Navy personnel detained two boats, owned by Simson and Sasikumar in which, seven fishermen were engaged in fishing, near Neduntheevu islet.

After preliminary inquiry, they were taken to a Naval Port in the island nation. As the news reached Ramanathapuram, fishermen in Thangachimadam resorted to a stir near Karl Marx statue. They shouted slogans against the Sri Lankan government for indulging in such frequent arrests and demanded immediate release.

The fishermen also said that the Union government should not be a spectator and get into the act and help the fisherfolks since it was their livelihood.

An emergency meeting is likely to be convened at 4 p.m., in which the fishermen associations were expected to discuss the next course of action.

Speaking to The Hindu, fishermen leader Jesu Raja said that they have been at the receiving end for the last four decades. “We have no other source of income other than fishing. Nearly 90 % of the families depended on fishing. If the governments are not going to help and resolve the issue permanently, the survival may become a big question very soon,” he said.

The governments should get the permission for fishing in the Palk Bay as it has been traditionally enjoyed by the fishermen here, he said. The fishermen contributed in a big way as the fish exports by merchants earned them not only profits but also brought in foreign exchange, he added.

Another fisherman Sahayam said that when Sri Lanka was described as a ‘friendly nation’ by the Indian government, should they not stop the arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu. Impounding the boats and imposing hefty fines not only increased the debts but also turned a majority of the fishers jobless as the boats are lying in docks in Sri Lanka.

Each mechanised trawler costs around ₹40 lakh and over 180 trawlers were impounded since 2018. While 50% of the boats were in working condition, the Indian government could get them back to the rightful owners as the rest may have become useless and may be a scrap, he said.