Sri Lanka and India have decided to release fishing boats taken into custody from both countries to coincide with the visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to India.
State Minister of Fisheries Dilip Wedaarachchi said that the Sri Lankan Government has already taken measures to release 86 Indian boats.
The boats were seized when Indian fishermen were arrested on several occasions while poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
The fishermen had been freed but the boats were seized but Wedaarachchi said that it was now decided to free the boats as well as a goodwill measure to mark Sirisena’s first visit to India since taking oaths as President last month.
He also said that 24 Sri Lankan boats in Indian custody and 6 fishermen are to be set free by India when Sirisena heads to India.
The President is scheduled to leave for India today and during his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the fishing issue is expected to be discussed.
