Sri Lankan Navy detains 30 Indian fishermen from Rameswaram, seizes trawlers

In yet another incident, the Sri Lankan Navy detained 30 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized four trawlers for allegedly poaching in international waters on Wednesday (October 8, 2025) night.

According to information available with officials of the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department, 339 boats were issued tokens on Wednesday (October 8) morning from the Rameswaram jetty. Fishermen from Thangachimadam, Rameswaram, and other areas had ventured into the sea.

At around 8 p.m., Sri Lankan Navy personnel who were on surveillance duty along the Palk Bay detained the fishermen and impounded their boats as well as their catch. They were all taken to a Naval Port in the island nation, the officials said.

Speaking to The Hindu, Jesu Raja, a fishermen leader, condemned the detention and demanded that the Union government immediately speak to the Sri Lankan government and secure their release. “This is a question of survival and livelihood for our fishers. The governments cannot remain silent spectators. We are seeking a permanent solution,” he added.

Another fishermen leader, Sagayam, said that with the Deepavali festival approaching, such an incident had upset the fishing community. Many women and children were disappointed after learning about the detention of their family members. “The governments should immediately intervene and bring them back with the trawlers at the earliest,” he appealed.