Sri Lanka navy detains seven Indian fishermen, seizes two trawlers

The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested seven Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters and seized their two trawlers , the Navy said in an official statement. The incident took place on Tuesday off Kovilan , in the northern Jaffna peninsula , a sensitive region where fishing disputes between India and Sri Lanka often flare up. According to the Navy, the fishermen were found in Sri Lankan waters and detained during a routine patrol. Their two trawlers have been confiscated and are currently held by the Navy. The arrested fishermen are scheduled to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna , where they will face legal proceedings under Sri Lankan laws.

The Navy statement confirmed that the fishermen’s vessels were seized, but it did not provide a full list of their belongings. There is no official update yet on the fishermen’s belongings or gear.

The issue of fishermen crossing maritime boundaries is a recurring source of tension between India and Sri Lanka. Both countries often accuse each other of harbouring illegal fishing activities, and incidents of arrests and seizures are frequent. In response to such incidents, the Indian government usually follows a protocol of verifying the fishermen’s identity and location, then seeking their release through diplomatic channels. Officials from the Indian High Commission in Colombo typically monitor the case and coordinate with Sri Lankan authorities.

While Sri Lanka has not yet issued a detailed response on this specific incident, the Indian side is expected to raise the matter through diplomatic and consular channels, especially given the recurring nature of these disputes. The Indian government has previously urged Sri Lanka to adopt a more humanitarian approach while dealing with fishermen who cross the maritime boundary unintentionally.

The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of sea separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground and the centre of repeated disputes. Both countries’ fishermen often enter each other’s waters unintentionally, especially during rough sea conditions or while chasing fish shoals. The Sri Lankan Navy has been strict in dealing with alleged poaching and illegal fishing. In 2025 alone , it apprehended 346 Indian fishermen and seized 44 trawlers , according to the Navy’s statement. India, too, has detained Sri Lankan fishermen for crossing into its territorial waters, though such incidents are fewer and are generally handled in a more humanitarian manner, with fishermen usually released after verification and diplomatic coordination. The repeated arrests on both sides highlight the ongoing challenges in managing the shared maritime boundary and protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities in the region.