Sri Lanka repatriates 30 Indian fishermen, journey home begins

At least 30 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka on Tuesday and are currently returning to India , authorities said, amid the continuing dispute over fishing rights between the two neighbours.

The High Commission of India in Colombo confirmed the development in a post on X, stating that the fishermen had completed legal formalities and were on their way home following coordination with authorities in Sri Lanka .

According to the Sri Lanka Navy , enforcement operations against alleged illegal fishing continue in its waters. So far in 2026 , the Navy has detained 102 Indian fishermen and seized 15 trawlers for allegedly entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.

Despite periodic repatriations, the issue remains persistent. Official figures indicate that 116 Indian fishermen are currently in Sri Lankan custody , many awaiting court hearings or completion of legal procedures.

In 2025, Sri Lankan authorities arrested 346 fishermen operating 44 trawlers on similar allegations of poaching in their waters.

Navy spokesman Commander Buddika Sampath said he could not immediately confirm which batch of detainees the released fishermen belonged to, explaining that repatriations depend on court procedures and administrative processing .

Sri Lankan courts generally impose fines, short jail terms or deportation orders , after which fishermen are sent back to India. In many cases, however, their trawlers remain confiscated as part of legal proceedings.

The dispute centres on the Palk Strait , a narrow stretch of sea separating Sri Lanka from India’s Tamil Nadu coast. The waters are among the region’s richest fishing grounds, drawing fishermen from both sides and frequently leading to inadvertent crossing of the International Maritime Boundary Line .

Several other repatriations have taken place in recent weeks, including 14 fishermen on March 14, three on March 17 and nine on March 20 .

The recurring arrests have drawn political attention in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin urging the Union government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure the early return of detained fishermen.