‘Bring them home’: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges Centre to act on jailed fishermen in Sri Lanka

Rashmi Pandey — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:03:03 +0000

C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday wrote to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar urging the Union government to intensify diplomatic efforts for the immediate release and safe repatriation of Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lanka along with the return of their seized fishing boats.

In his letter, Vijay expressed concern over the continued arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and stated that 54 Indian fishermen are currently lodged in Sri Lankan prisons while 264 fishing boats remain impounded. He requested the Ministry of External Affairs to utilise “all diplomatic channels” to secure their release at the earliest.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also highlighted the growing distress among coastal fishing communities, particularly in districts such as Ramanathapuram, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai, where repeated arrests and boat seizures have severely affected livelihoods dependent on deep-sea fishing in the Palk Strait region.

According to officials, the fishermen were detained on various occasions over allegations of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line while fishing in waters between India and Sri Lanka. The issue has remained a recurring diplomatic and political concern for both countries for several years.

The latest appeal comes amid renewed tensions in the Palk Bay after multiple incidents involving arrests and boat confiscations were reported over recent months. Tamil Nadu political parties and fishermen’s associations have repeatedly demanded a permanent diplomatic solution, arguing that the prolonged detention of boats causes heavy financial losses to fishing families.

The Government of India has previously raised the fishermen issue during bilateral talks with Sri Lankan authorities and facilitated several rounds of repatriation. However, disputes related to fishing rights, bottom trawling and maritime boundaries continue to trigger confrontations in the region.

Officials familiar with the matter said the Ministry of External Affairs remains in regular contact with the Indian High Commission in Colombo and Sri Lankan authorities regarding the release process and consular assistance for detained fishermen.

IndianFishermen | Business Upturn

‘Bring them home’: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges Centre to act on jailed fishermen in Sri Lanka