14 Indian Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lankan Navy for Alleged IMBL Violation
- Reguram Ips
- Aug 6, 2025
- 2 min read
In a recurring maritime conflict, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 14 Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6. The fishermen, hailing from Pamban, Rameswaram, and Thirupalaikudi, were taken into custody along with two fishing boats — a mechanised boat and a country boat.
Details of the Arrests
According to official sources, a mechanised boat owned by a local fisherman named Maran from Pamban departed from Pamban fishing harbour on Tuesday. It carried 10 fishermen who allegedly drifted into Sri Lankan waters while fishing near the IMBL.
The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted the vessel during their routine maritime patrol and arrested all 10 fishermen.
They were transported to Puthalam in Sri Lanka for further legal proceedings.
In a separate incident the same day, a country boat carrying four fishermen from Thirupalaikudi was caught near the Katchatheevu islet, a contested maritime zone. These fishermen were taken to Kankesanturai port.
Legal Proceedings and Response
Sri Lankan authorities have begun legal procedures in Jaffna, Puthalam, and Kankesanturai against the arrested fishermen. The Fisheries Department in Tamil Nadu has been notified of the arrests and is coordinating further steps.
Fishermen Associations Condemn Arrests
Fishermen associations from Rameswaram and other coastal areas have condemned the arrests and called for immediate diplomatic intervention by the Indian government.
“The Union Government must act swiftly to ensure the release of our fishermen and recovery of the boats,” stated a representative from a Rameswaram fishermen’s union.
A Recurring Maritime Tension
The IMBL remains a point of contention between India and Sri Lanka, especially around the Katchatheevu islet, often leading to arrests of Indian fishermen despite ongoing diplomatic discussions.
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