The Indian government says it is engaging Sri Lanka through bilateral mechanisms and diplomatic channels to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and their boats, according to a statement tabled in the Lok Sabha and attributed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The statement said New Delhi accords the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen, particularly those from Tamil Nadu, who are frequently detained over alleged crossings of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
27 fishermen, 249 boats
As of 31 July 2026, 27 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 249 fishing boats remained in Sri Lankan custody, the statement said.
The gap between the two figures is substantial: the number of boats held exceeds the total seized in any recent single year. Sri Lankan authorities apprehended 119 Tamil Nadu fishermen and confiscated 17 boats during 2026. In 2025, 317 fishermen were detained and 43 boats seized; in 2024, the figures were 526 fishermen and 72 boats.
The Indian government said it has raised the matter with Colombo at various official and high-level meetings, arguing it should be handled on humanitarian and livelihood grounds.
Joint working group and consular access
Fishermen’s issues are also taken up through institutional channels including the India–Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries, which includes representatives of the Tamil Nadu state government.
Officials from the Indian mission and consulates in Sri Lanka regularly visit detention centres and prisons to check on detainees and arrange legal assistance to support their release and repatriation.
Over the past three financial years, more than Rs. 1.84 crore has been provided in assistance towards legal aid and repatriation costs for affected fishermen and their families.
New Delhi said it would continue engaging Colombo on what remains a recurring irritant in the bilateral relationship.
Sources: Ada Derana.
